NWMI representatives meet in Bangalore
NWMI Representatives Meet in Bangalore
A working meeting of the Network of Women in Media, India, was held on 24-
25 September 2011 in the beautiful campus of the SFS College on the outskirts of
Bangalore. During the one and a half day meeting, 20 network members, representing
seven NWMI chapters across the country (Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore, Bengal, Gujarat,
Kerala, Mumbai and Pune) reached a consensus on several crucial issues relating to the
future and structure of the network.
This was the result of frank, open and intense discussions to which every participant
contributed. Despite the limited time available, it was possible to cover a lot of ground
because the issues and concerns to be addressed at the meeting had been circulated
in advance to all the chapters for discussion. Local networks in Kolkata, Hyderabad,
Kerala, Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai had met prior to the meeting and their
representatives were thus able to present the views of their chapters on the various
issues that needed to be resolved. The Manipur and Odisha chapters had sent inputs by
email, which were duly tabled during the meeting.
As customary, most participants travelled to the meeting at their own expense.
However, the AP and Bengal networks managed to finance the travel of their
representatives from the local group’s scarce resources, while the Bangalore and Kerala
chapters contributed towards the costs of the meeting.
There was strong endorsement from all chapters present that the NWMI must continue
to exist because it has played a valuable role in building solidarity and friendship
between a diverse group of women journalists, has provided professional support to
members, and made important interventions on wider issues that concern the media.
It was also widely felt that there must be a way of ensuring that the strength of the
NWMI – its informal, non-hierarchical, collective nature – is preserved even as attempts
are made to formalise the structure and evolve clearer procedures in the interest of
improving the functioning and effectiveness of the network.
Towards this end, it was decided that the NWMI will henceforth have a Council, with
representation and inputs from all chapters, which would serve as a policy-framing and
decision-facilitating body. In order to ensure more participation by more members in
network activities local chapters will nominate persons to liaise with and contribute to
ongoing efforts such as the Council, the NWMI website, the Anupama Jayaraman Award,
etc. The next annual meeting in 2012, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the NWMI
will be held later in the year.
