COVID-19 pandemic has forced all major industries across the world to shut down and later, change the way they work. Work from home, which used to be a 'privilege' that only a few enjoyed is a common reality today. All major corporates and institutions have adopted it to arrest the spread of coronavirus infections.
Video Volunteers being a community media organisation had to change some of its processes to gather news and interact with the communities. Stalin K, managing trustee of Video Volunteers says that they had to start a new show, suited to the format of audio interviews, that took stock of on-ground situations.
Amrita Anand, program manager with Video Volunteers was an active member of local groups in Goa which arranged food, ration and essential supplies for daily wage workers left high and dry because of the lockdown.
As there was a restriction on movement and availability of work during the lockdown, people faced a lot of challenges as also reported by Video Volunteers correspondents. As many as 150 videos were made during lockdown by community correspondents highlighting issues like irregularities in ration disbursal, dismal condition of quarantine centres, non-payment of dues to ASHA workers, non-availability of masks and sanitisers for health workers etc.
A Call for Research on AI’s Role in Amplifying the Insights of the Systemically Unheard
The article argues that systematically ignoring and silencing the voices of the poor and marginalized worldwide does not serve society or democracy well and must be countered. While new technologies such as AI could provide an opportunity for change, we contend that these technologies need to account more effectively for...
Fighting for Change: The Story of Bihar-Based Journalist Amir Abbas
Inspiration can come from many sources, but one of the most powerful is seeing someone walk the path before you. Our Community Correspondent, Syed Amir Abbas found his inspiration in Stalin K., the founding director of Video Volunteers. “I met Stalin at VV’s national meet in 2017 and I...