Media Observation Form

From SPARK

Summary

Information form to gather media acceptance and use data.

When research is undertaken in a given community, it is beneficial to the overall strategy to know their acceptance and use of media. This information will help indicate the most appropriate program formats. It will also help make the selection of culturally-appropriate technology.

The following form will assist in selecting the media that will have the greatest impact and will encourage local ownership.

The first two categories can be addressed at early stages of language program research. The remaining categories will require a more in-depth understanding of the total language situation.

Community name or geographic area (Language/location) ______________

Describe the specific group within the community that contributed the information (Individuals, believers, young people, church leaders, etc.)

__________________________________________________________________

Observer’s Name ________________________________Date _______________

AVAILABLE MEDIA:

• What media technology is already available in the community?
• Who or what organizations/s produce the programs?
• Who owns the media equipment?
• How is it shared with the community at large?
• What tools/products are available and how are they acquired?
• Does the community have active or passive participation?

POWER:

What kind of power is available or would be best suited to the desired media?

__Dry cells __Wet cells __Electricity __Solar panels

COMMUNICATION STYLES:

• What communication styles have you observed?
• Is there a special style for religious topics?
• Is there a special style for historical information?
• Are there particular venues that accept a particular communication style? (Festivals, family gatherings, religious settings. etc.)

STORYING:

• Who are the storytellers in the community?
• How are they selected?
• What is their status in the community?
• Do they have a variety of delivery systems? (Style, format, with music, etc.)
• Who is their audience? (Groups, individuals, special occasions, etc.)

ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE MEDIA:

• Does the community view some media as foreign? Which one/s?
• Are there government restrictions on the production and use of some media? Which one/s?
• Is some media considered a communication tool only for the rich or educated? Which one/s?
• How would you rate the community interest in producing vernacular media on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being no interest and 10 being highly motivated)?

____Audio Cassettes

____Radio

____Filmstrips

____Drama Clubs

____TV

____Video

• Does the church view some media as secular and inappropriate for church use? Which one/s?

PARTICIPANTS:

Can you identify individuals or local infrastructures that might be interested in participating in the planning, production, and distribution of any given media?

Organizers

Speakers/voicers

Distributors

Script Writers

Musicians

Technicians

Storytellers

Actors

Stage