Channel 19 is an independent online network that aims to promote, distribute and support media produced by local communities in the developing world.  Local producers create videos that highlight issues that are relevant to their community.  By linking them to an outside audience, channel 19 allows producers to tell their own story and reach out to people around the world. 

Channel 19 was created by Video Volunteers-a U.S. based NGO- and Drishti-an organization in India that uses media to strengthen human rights.  They have set up six community video units (CVUs), self-sustaining local production teams who create and manage their own media in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in India.  In 5 years, they plan to use that model to create a network of over 200 community video producers on 4 continents. The CVUs produce 30 minute “Video News Magazines” and show them to people in their neighborhoods and communities on wide screen projectors.  These videos are often the catalyst for discussion and further action, as they empower the audiences to lead, connect and create change.  Topics are chosen by the local community editorial boards, which encourages community ownership and participation.  Read impact stories about how this work has made a difference. 

The Challenge of Bringing Net Access to Poorest Areas: "The Internet is now only accessible for a tiny portion of humanity….Here’s what the digital divide means concretely in Video Volunteers’ work. We have trained 75 Community Video Producers from slums and villages of India along with our NGO partners. Every two months they make a film on a different critical issue like health, education, water and corruption and screen them on widescreen projectors in 25 villages.  These folks live in twelve different geographies in India, ranging from the slums of Mumbai to lush isolated rural areas 1000 kilometers away, to villages in the foothills of the Himalayas.”  -- Read the entire post at the Channel19 Blog

Check out some of the latest videos submitted by Video Volunteers

Caught: Shady Ration Shop Owners

Exposes the corrupt practices in the ration shops, which are the government run shops where the poor can get subsidized basic necessities.