WEB-TV An Innovative & Effective Digital Communication Tool

for Think Tanks

By: Raja Taimur Hassan Correspondent/ Producer SDTV

Sustainable Development Policy Institute Islamabad-Pakistan

www.sdpi.tv

We are witnessing the surge in the popularity of the Internet, mobile and social media around world.

Production of media content and distribution on web is relatively cheap.

It allows to reach potentially global audience who can access the media content round the clock.

Advantageous for busy viewers, if they wanted to multi-task while using their television.

Viewers could check their email, surf the net, watch video and listen to streaming audio, all at the same time.

Why Web-TV?

There are 2.4 billion internet user in the world, of which 35 million active Internet users are in Pakistan.

Internet is now becoming main source of news as well as most frequently accessed source in the world.

More people seem to get their news from the social media than ever before.

It has now expanded into a much larger medium, which is set on the course of becoming a major component of mass communication.

The future of news is digital (Web base TV)

Total ‘teledensity’ in the country has increased to 71.95 percent

There were 121.13 million mobile subscribers at the end of March 2013 (Ready to use for 3G & 4G)

Broadband subscribers stood at 2.54 million at the end of March, 2013.

Currently, Pakistan has successfully completed the auction for next-generation (3G & 4G) telecom spectrums

Now people would prefer to get the information and news on their Android handsets

Web-TV and Its Potential in Telecom Sector in Pakistan

Launched in the name of Sustainable Development Television (SDTV) in October 2011.

First ever web based English News Channel of TT in Pakistan

The idea behind the web based TV was to make people and policy makers realize about the importance of sustainable development issues and

To present the policy theme of SDPI while using modern tools in a more effective manner.

International Development Research Center (IDRC) calls it, ‘a jewel in the crown’ of its Think Tank global Initiative.

SDTV Introduction

To highlight the issues relating to sustainable development: SDTV is regularly producing news packages, short

documentaries, experts’ interviews, and current affair programmes.

SDTV provides in-house trainings, when needed (e.g. Before SDC to the rapporteurs)

Above all, in a short span, the SDTV has become capable of live streaming and is now broadcasting its special events including seminars, lectures, conferences and current affair programmes on regular basis.

At SDPI, going live is a routine. SDTV is also Maintaining the Footage Archive on regular basis

SDTV Products & Functions

Through its web TV, SDPI is reaching out to wider groups including public and private sector, legislators, policy makers, experts, students, civil society, media and professionals.

SDPI engage these wider groups to ensure that important messages are shared not only with development practitioners and policy makers but also with the wider public.

Enhancing SDPI Outreach

Power of knowledge is sharing of knowledge If a TT worthy research did not reach to its beneficiaries

then that research is no more but Junk. A famous saying is “seeing is believing” If a picture worth a thousands words, then a moving

picture (video) is worth a million. Web-TV can help TTs to disseminate their research in

visuals form to the public at large TTs own TV allowed TTs to convert their 50 to 100 pages

research into 2-3 minutes policy oriented video package

Why Think Tanks need Web-TV?

With a future plan to be fully grown in three phases, the SDTV has successfully embarked on the second phase of the project development, by launching the current affairs back bone.

In its first phase, the internal core production facility has been developed as well as the initial programming has been done.

In the second phase, SDTV has started producing news analysis and talk shows on development issues keeping in view the current socio-political, economic and law and order situation of the country.

In the third phase, SDTV will be a full-fledged television channel and telecast its policy programmes through satellite (if licensed).

SDTV Future Planning

For more details & future correspondence contact at taimoor@sdpi.org or rajataimur1@gmail.com