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Grassroots Videos for Community Access Television
This non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organisation based in California (USA) provides a medium for citizens to publicly broadcast their opinions on local issues. The organisation achieves this objective through visual "letters to the editor" in the form of video-taped programmes, entitled "Grassroots Issues", which are broadcast over cable television.
Communication Strategies
Grassroots Videos uses the medium of television to foster community education through citizen participation. As of this writing, the programme airs on local Comcast cable channel 26, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; past programmes may also be viewed anytime on the Grassroots Video website.
The programme format varies, but often includes a "Citizen's Forum", which is an opportunity for a local resident to present his or her views on a current topic, such as neighbourhood cleanup efforts, the local pregnancy resource centre, upcoming elections, etc.; a question-and-answer session ensues. Alternatively, an invited guest may discuss a locally relevant topic; if there is more than one representative, a debate and/or "hot seat" session (featuring a local elected official responding to questions, comments, and complaints of the electorate) may follow.
The key to this initiative is citizen participation. Local residents are encouraged to contact the organisers if they would like to appear on the programme, or to submit questions or topics for future programmes.
The organisation also works in the printed medium. Its guidebook "Campaigning to Win! A Guide for Local Elections " details how to choose a campaign manager, construct effective speeches, prepare for television interviews, and so on.
The programme format varies, but often includes a "Citizen's Forum", which is an opportunity for a local resident to present his or her views on a current topic, such as neighbourhood cleanup efforts, the local pregnancy resource centre, upcoming elections, etc.; a question-and-answer session ensues. Alternatively, an invited guest may discuss a locally relevant topic; if there is more than one representative, a debate and/or "hot seat" session (featuring a local elected official responding to questions, comments, and complaints of the electorate) may follow.
The key to this initiative is citizen participation. Local residents are encouraged to contact the organisers if they would like to appear on the programme, or to submit questions or topics for future programmes.
The organisation also works in the printed medium. Its guidebook "Campaigning to Win! A Guide for Local Elections " details how to choose a campaign manager, construct effective speeches, prepare for television interviews, and so on.
Development Issues
Democracy & Governance.
Sources
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