Participatory Video Making and Community Children Reporters: A Case Study of “Pollution at Umshing” in Shillong, Meghalaya

Abstract

The chapter examines the use of Participatory Video (PV) by Community Children Reporters (CCRs) in Mawlai, Shillong in Meghalaya, the Northeastern State in India under the Project, Children in Media Experiments (CHIME). Since the inception of CHIME in 2012, it has dealt with issues pertaining to children participation and child rights. From 2015 onwards, the project focussed on giving the children voices to tell their stories through PVs. It is in this context that the first batch of CCRs was trained in various facets of PV production through workshops and trainings. The CCRs were also oriented about news values and sensitized in various social issues that affect their community. The result of the workshops, training and sensitisations led the CCRs to produce impactful PVs on pertinent issues faced by the community. In 2017, “Pollution at Umshing”, which documents the pollution of the river “Umshing” was one of the most impactful PVs, which was well received and created far-reaching impact through screenings in the community and in the schools in Mawlai. Post-screening of the video made significant changes where initiatives were taken to clean the river by the communities. The main objective of the chapter is to showcase PV as a tool for awareness-raising and to create impactful change in community development and social change. It will also address a case study of one of the award-winning PV, “Pollution at Umshing” produced by the CCRs who are agents of social change in their communities.