A news channel run exclusively by girls in Bihar

By Rajnish Singh

Chand Kewari (Bihar), Mar 6 : In a major example of women empowering themselves, a team of five girls from Bihar are running a news channel, set up by a self-help group.

Class IX students hailing from Chand Kewari village in Muzaffarpur district are being assisted in running the channel by Mission Eye International.

Titled 'Appan Samachar' channel went on air from December 6, 2007 and the girls pitch in for everything including reporting, editing and news reading.

"People living in nearby villages do not get to know what is happening in our village. We want to inform people in other villages about the problems of our village," said Khushboo, a newsreader.

These girls visit various areas in their village as well as nearby areas on bicycles carrying a tripod, camera and other necessary equipment to cover news.

"Girls are making news. We feel good on seeing this. We get news relating to our village and other villages. This is good for poor people like us," said Madina Khatoon, a viewer.

Villagers gather at a common place and watch the news bulletins with keen interest. And there is praise from the villagers for the excellent coverage of news.

ANI