• Q: What is the Vividh CJ Program?

    • A: The purpose of the Vividh program is to create a network of rural/slum-based activists across India who can report on grassroots development and human rights issues. VV will select 2 activists from each state in India who will be given training in video journalism, equipment and a one year fellowship during which they will act as their communities’ local reporters, producing videos on topics decided by VV and our campaign partners. VV will create partnerships with mainstream media to broadcast these videos.

    We believe the media doesn’t adequately address the issues of communities, and also that social movements and NGOs will be greatly served if communities are empowered with their own research, storytelling and news-gathering skills. We think that because the mainstream media is changing a lot, and technology costs so little now, that it will be possible for our community journalists to work with the mainstream media and therefore help to democratize it.

  • Q: If I’m selected as a CJ, what will my job be?

    • A: Your job will be to:

    * Produce at least one video a month on a human rights campaign topic decided by VV – such as NREGA, corruption, health, education, caste discrimination, land alienation etc.
    * Produce at least one video a month on an issue that you are passionate about, or is newsworthy in your area
    * Write blogs
    * Show the videos in the community several times a year, and carry out SMS campaigns regularly

  • Q: Do I need a specific educational qualification to apply?

    • A: No. You just need to know to read and write.

  • Q: Who qualifies as a CJ?

    • A: You qualify if you are:
    * From economic and socially disadvantaged background
    * Connected to a social movement
    * Interested in learning media and voice the concerns of your community
    * Can demonstrate leadership skills, that you are a self-starter and can work well alone
    * Speak a bit of Hindi or English
    * Have access to internet
    * If you are a woman, Dalits, tribal or belong to religious minority, you will be preferred

  • Q: How old do I have to be?

    • A: You have to be 18 years and above. However, we prefer to select experienced (in social work/movement) people. There is no upper limit on age.

  • Q: Is this part time or full time work?

    • A: Full time. You should expect to be working at least 30 hours a week as a CJ.

  • Q: How long is the training, and where and when will it take place?

    • A: The main training will be for 14-days where all selected CJs will be called to a centralized location. VV will bear all the costs including travel and stay for the training. We’ll be informing you of the date and venue once selection process is complete. But don’t forget – the two-week training is only the beginning of the program, the Fellowship is one year and full-time.

  • Q: I already know how to make videos, do I still need to come for the two-week training?

    • A: Yes. The two-week training is mandatory for all selected fellows.

  • Q: Will I be paid? How much? What about expenses?

    • A: Yes, you’ll get a stipend of Rs. 3,500 per month, plus Rs. 500 for internet, phone and local travel.

  • Q: Do I need equipment?

    • A: Not necessarily. We’ll be providing you with a camera. However, you must have your own cellphone for communicating with VV.

  • Q: Can I keep the equipment VV gives me?

    • A: Yes, you will keep the camera VV gives you for the duration of the fellowship. VV will deduct a small amount every month from your stipend and after 12 months, you can own the camera.

  • Q: I am already employed. Can I still apply?

    • A: No, if you are thinking of managing both your job and this fellowship. Yes, if your organization will let you be part of Vividh for one year

  • Q: How will the video subjects be decided?

    • A: Each month, all the CJs across the country will be working on one common topic, so we can generate lots of excitement and media attention on that issue. VV will decide the topic along with different NGOs and campaign partners.

  • Q: Where will the videos I make be seen?

    • A: On VV’s Vividh website; on the website of different NGOs working on the issues; on places like Facebook, Orkut etc. Individual CJ videos will be seen on mainstream TV channels as short videos. The issues will also be picked up by local journalists (print and TV) in your areas. You will also show them in the community several times a year and hopefully show relevant ones to government officials.

  • Q: What will happen after the one-year fellowship?

    • A: You will have the skills to work as stringers for mainstream media or continue to work as media activists associated with a NGO or social movement. Some of you will return to your own NGOs and become their media person. VV will continue the program with selected CJs.

  • Q: I represent an NGO. We’d like our staff/volunteers trained in citizen journalism. Is this possible in the CJ program?

    • A: Yes, we encourage you to help your staff/followers to apply. But keep in mind that they will need to do the CJ program full time for one year, and that they will be reporting to VV. They will be on deputation to VV for a year but skills they earn should add real value to your work.

  • Q: If I am selected for my state, will I be able to work from my hometown or will I have to move?

    • A: If selected you will be working from your region/state. In fact you are being selected to represent your area/community. The only time you will need to travel out of your state is for the training or centralized meeting we may call for.

  • Q: What’s the deadline for applying?

    • A: January 7, 2010

  • Q: Where do I apply and where can I read more?

    • A: More info: http://www.videovolunteers.org/community-journalism-program-our-new-initiative/
    Application: http://www.videovolunteers.org/community-journalism-program-our-new-initiative/community-journalism-registration-form/

  • Q: When will I know if I am accepted?

    • A: VV will inform you by 16th January 2010. The list of selected fellows will also be on our website. www.videovolunteers.org

  • Q: I don’t qualify as a CJ. How else can I be involved?

    • A: Immediately, please help us spread the word about the application process to people who would qualify. We need more applications from women and from the North and North East states.

  • Q: I am part of an NGO/social movement, I don’t want to apply for fellowship, how else can we be involved? Will VV be willing to conduct special trainings for our staff?

    • A: If you are an NGO, we can work together to create video stories that relates to your issue. See below about NGOs and campaigns. You can also mentor selected CJs in your region and help them find interesting stories. VV can also train your staff for your specific communication needs. Email us at info@videovolunteers.org to begin a discussion on this.

  • Q: I represent an NGO/social movment. How does Vividh program help our issue or campaign?

    • A: VV can help you get powerful, from-the-ground material on your issue from the 60 states of India, that can be very helpful in creating a grassroots call for change, generating mainstream media interest, strengthening an ongoing campaign, and helping in fund mobilization.

    Each month, we’ll be deciding on one issue for the CJs to work on. Let us know if you’d like to partner with us to do a campaign. In that case, we will work together closely for a few months to plan the stories, do the research, and develop distribution.

  • Q: I represent an NGO and would like a separate payment amount for the fellows we nominate to avoid disparities within the organization. Does VV allow for such flexibility?

    • A: No. VV will have the same stipend amount for all selected fellows. Stipends will be paid directly to the fellows and not to the NGO/organization.

  • Q: I am journalist, I don’t want to apply for the fellowship, how else can we be involved?

    • A: You can (this applies to filmmakers as well) volunteer your time and mentor a CJ in your region. You can advise him on how to research and cover a story from journalist’s point of view. You can also be our Campaign Volunteer and help us create a campaign on an issue close to your heart. Email us at info@videovolunteers.org to begin a discussion on this.

  • Q: What is Video Volunteers?

    • A: VV is a registered non-proift organization and it’s mission is to empower the world’s poorest citizens to participate in the community media movement so that they can right the wrongs they witness and become players in the global media revolution. We have trained more than 300 community members to produce social videos. More than 100 of these community video producers are currently working full-time in the 15 “Community Video Units” we have set up in partnership with various NGOs. In this program, community producers produce media that is seen in 300 villages, every 6-8 weeks, on widescreen projectors. This program has reached more than 200,000 people in more than 2000 community screenings, with each film leading to concrete action by communities.

  • Q: Why is Video Volunteers launching Vividh?

    • A: We are launching Vividh because we believe that the community media revolution offers huge opportunities for social issues to get greater mainstream coverage. Most TV stations today has programs where you can upload your own content, and several world events (such as the elections in Tehran in May of 2009) have been mostly covered by “citizen journalists.” Our goal with the Vividh CJ program is to devise methods –tools, production models – that will make it possible to create a kind of news agency from the rural and slum areas of the world, a kind of “grassroots Reuters,” if you will, that enables community issues to come front and center.