Title : Radio Media Village 90.8 FM

Objectives of the Practice

• Community Engagement and societal development.
• Foster a strong sense of social responsibility in students and enable them to use media for the benefit of society.

The Context

As a communication college, it was crucial for SJCC to establish a professional media platform. This served multiple purposes like  providing hands-on experience for students and demonstrating responsible media usage for community growth. During this period, FM radios gained popularity with commercial stations primarily focusing on entertainment. SJCC aimed to leverage this medium for societal development,consequently, we applied for a community radio licence, which was granted in 2012.

The Practice

The Community Engagement initiatives through 90.8 Radio Media Village focus on diverse aspects such as sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural arts preservation, healthcare access support, communal harmony, women empowerment, and promoting budding talents.

Programs including "Arogya Jagratha,” educates people about responsible waste disposal and its impact on the environment. The radio station collaborates with Vazhappally Grama Panchayat to set up dustbins for segregation and conduct awareness programs. "All Kerala Radio Drama Festival" supports and promotes art forms like drama to strengthen the local arts community.

"Janakkeya Saddasu" addresses development issues in villages by involving government officials, NGOs, and people's representatives. 

"Jeevanam Organic Farming" promotes sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers by providing a platform to sell their products.

"Matha Sauhardam" fosters communal harmony and cultural diversity by celebrating festivals and organising events for people of different religions.

Programs like "Nattukoottam," "Changanassery Sahitya Sangamam and Book Fest," "Adukkalayile Akathalam," and "Music Dhamaka" focus on regional issues, literacy, women's empowerment, and promoting musical talents of youth, respectively. Additionally, the radio station offers "Thought of the Day" and "Thought of the Week" episodes to inspire and motivate the audience.

 "Sukrutham" supports poor patients in accessing medical aid and direct financial assistance through phone programs. It demonstrates our commitment to public welfare and community support. 

For training of SJCC students, daily an episode named “Students Corner” is run by student RJs of SJCC  from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. 

Evidence of Success

• Received National Awards
• Community Engagement through 90.8 Radio Media Village.
• Increased participation and awareness in painting competitions and awareness programs.
• Recognition and preservation of endangered art forms through the All Kerala Radio Drama Festival.
• RJs trained by SJCC present programs worldwide  

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The implementation of best practices in SJCC, such as the involvement of the radio station in community activities require certain resources and face certain challenges. Some challenges encountered in implementing these practices include the non-availability of resources, such as funding, equipment, and human resources, technical challenges in producing high-quality content, and the need to maintain community engagement and participation. In order to overcome these challenges, SJCC relies heavily on NGOs and industry professionals, as well as student volunteers to provide assistance in various stages of the production process. Furthermore, the college's commitment to creating sustainable, long-term solutions through ongoing community engagement and promotion of the initiatives ensures their success over time.

Notes

Emphasis on experiential learning and practical skills for students in both practices.

Collaborations with government departments, NGOs, and industry professionals enhance the impact and accuracy of the initiatives.

Title : Screen for Change - Production of Social Commitment Videos.

Objectives of the Practice

• To create awareness about important social issues and local news.
• Provide valuable learning experiences for students.
• Contribute to creating a sustainable and inclusive society.

The Context

In the context of the emergence of popular vlogging platforms like youtube and other social media platforms, SJCC recognized the effectiveness of  addressing  pressing social issues through audio-video productions.SJCC utilises its talent pool available here,and gives training and learning experience for our students in all stages of production.

The Practice

MVTV, the official youtube channel of SJCC  collaborates with government departments and industry professionals to produce social commitment videos on various topics, which is managed and operated by our students under the guidance of SJCC  faculty and dedicated staff of radio. MVTV broadcasts content in  regional language, focusing on local news, cultural events, and social issues. It encourages community participation through talk shows, debates, and interactive sessions.Students are involved in all stages of production, from research and scriptwriting to post-production.Some of the  major productions of SJCC are:

• The Poverty Alleviation Documentary was produced by SJCC on the request from the Kottayam District collector.
• Sabarimala Sudarsanam Project: Documentary on facilities for pilgrims who are senior citizens at sannidhanam based on request by Pathanthitta Collector.
• 4 Road Safety Awareness Films in collaboration with the Motor Vehicle Department.
• Anti-Drug Awareness Films- Balloons
• Swachh Bharat Mission Awareness Videos on Hygiene and Waste Management.

Evidence of Success

MVTV connects with a wide audience ,supports local talents, and raises awareness about social issues.The videos have also been used by government departments and NGOs for their campaigns. Social commitment videos, produced by students, are well-received and contribute to awareness campaigns while providing practical learning experiences.SJCCs productions has also played a crucial role in raising awareness about various social issues, such as health, education, and environment.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The first and foremost challenge was funding. Production cost of an industry standard video using high end equipment and talent is usually beyond the funding capacity of an educational institution. But we were able to realise these projects with generous contributions from industry partners and the renowned actors from the industry and the crew (staff and students) of SJCC who rendered free services for a social cause.

Additionally, collaborating with local organisations and government bodies may present challenges in terms of obtaining necessary permits, locations, and resources. This can also impact the creativity and vision of the project. Finally, partnering with industry professionals and experts for mentorship and guidance can be difficult due to busy schedules and conflicting priorities.

Overall, addressing these challenges by seeking alternative funding sources, investing in technical infrastructure, improving collaboration strategies with local organisations and government bodies, and fostering relationships with industry professionals has helped to enhance the video production experience at SJCC.

Notes

The community radio and MVTV serves as an excellent example of how educational institutions can contribute to community development and foster a sense of responsibility among students.It can be replicated in other institutions with minor adaptations to suit local contexts.