In a remarkable initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of journalists and driving impactful community change, the Community Youth Reporters programme has taken root in the Murshidabad District. The programme is was organized by IMAGIN and Press Club, Kolkata in collaboration with UNICEF, WB. This transformative Media Advocacy Programme, specifically designed for young students, empowers them with essential skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic field of journalism.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Medical Officer of Health (C.M.O.H.), Murshidabad Dr Sandip Sanyal and UNICEF WB Communication Specialist Suchorita Bardhan. Dr Snehasis Sur, president of Press Club, Kolkata congratulated the young journalists at the concluding session.
After the inaugural session, workshops were organized. The workshop successfully equipped young school students with a diverse skill set in journalism and media advocacy. Participants gained proficiency in reporting across various mediums, including audio-video, print, and digital platforms. Practical exercises and hands-on training sessions honed their abilities to craft compelling narratives. The session highlighted UNICEF’s commitment to empowering young voices and fostering a generation of journalists. The community youth reporters developed a comprehensive understanding of four critical health topics – Child Marriage & Teenage Pregnancy, Immunization, Nutrition, and Environment. Resource persons provided insights into the health parameters of Murshidabad District, empowering students with data-driven knowledge to inform their reporting. The workshops emphasized the importance of community-centric reporting. Students learned to amplify local voices, incorporating community perspectives into their narratives. This approach ensures that their stories resonate authentically and address the specific needs of Murshidabad District. The workshop instilled in students the importance of empathy and sensitivity in reporting on health issues.
The outcomes reflect a cohort of empowered individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to community well-being through informed, empathetic, and influential storytelling. In a dynamic follow-up to the Media Advocacy Programme with Community Youth Reporters workshop, mentors, and resource persons embarked on field visits to schools and communities. This initiative aimed to bring the workshop’s teachings to life by engaging directly with students and community members, discussing storylines, and sharing effective storytelling methodologies.
In the culmination of the Media Advocacy Programme with Community Youth Reporters, a transformative journey unfolded for the participating students. The workshop, meticulously crafted under the guidance of Ms. Suchorita Bardhan, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, West Bengal, aimed not only to impart technical skills but also to instill a sense of purpose and responsibility in the budding communicators.
The four focal topics – Child Marriage & Teenage Pregnancy, Immunization, Nutrition, and Environment – served as gateways for the students to delve into critical issues affecting their communities. The comprehensive training across audio, video, print, and digital mediums facilitated a holistic understanding of effective storytelling, enabling the youth reporters to wield a diverse array of tools in their advocacy arsenal.
As the programme concludes, it leaves behind not just a group of trained reporters but a cohort of advocates armed with the ability to amplify the voices of their communities. The ripple effect of their narratives holds the potential to bring about positive changes, not only by shaping public opinion but by influencing policies and inspiring community action.
The Media Advocacy Programme with Community Youth Reporters stands not just as a training ground but as a testament to the potential of media to be a force for positive change when wielded by a generation fueled by knowledge, empathy, and the unwavering belief in the power of their narratives
