The complexities of survey and census data on children were simplified in a special media workshop organised by UNICEF Bihar on Wednesday (Sept 30) in Hotel Patliputra Ashok. The workshop, titled Use of Data on Children for Children, provided an opportunity to media persons to strengthen their understanding on the different human and child development indicators, data-sets, systems and sources and how best to analyse, interpret and use them to make a difference to the lives of children in Bihar, especially the most disadvantaged.

Speaking at the inaugural of the event, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr. Yameen Mazumder said, “It is crucial for media to have a clear understanding of data indicators and parameters, so that they can use it to communicate the impact of the data to the masses.” Use of timely and credible data can make positive difference in children’s life, he said. Also present at the workshop, Assistant Director All India Radio, Dr. Kishore Sinha emphasised on the need to observe the plight of the children on the ground level through decentralised social groups. He said that media can play a very constructive and proactive role in highlighting issues of marginalised children who have fallen through the cracks of the system.

Explaining the objective of the workshop, UNICEF Bihar A&C Specialist, Ms. Nipurnh Gupta said that 46% of population in Bihar are children. “Aim of our initiative is to ensure that media has deep and clear understanding of data related to children. They should analyse various data indicators such as IMR, MMR, school dropout, child marriage and draw attention on the plight of children to instigate positive change.”

The technical session on the ‘Demystification of Data on Children’ was taken by Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF, Bihar. His session encapsulated the difference between various data sets, such as administrative data, sample surveys, census and their collection techniques; parameters of key human development indicators; and simplification techniques to present complex data in simple terms. “Every statistic has a human face. It is important to communicate the data in a way that it brings out the impact of the figures, with which people can relate,” Mr. Kumar said. He also discussed the latest survey data on children and shared some examples of its analyses for constructive developmental coverage on child rights issues.

Also speaking at the workshop, Senior Journalist Mr. Rajeneesh Upadhayay said, “As media professionals we face various data related challenges on the daily basis, as we often encounter politically biased, unverified and skewed data which makes it very difficult for us to use it either as evidence to the story or as a tool to push any social cause.” Media now has, however, improvised the techniques to use the data in news stories, such as info graphics and comparative stories. However, there is a vast potential to improve children related coverage in media. He also stressed on the need of a single point data source for latest data on children, which is readily accessible by media. PTI Bihar Bureau Chief, Mr. Sanjay Sinha drew attention on the lack of availability of credible data on child protection issues such as psychological issues in children.

Keynote speeches and technical session was followed by an open discussion where questions related to children were answered by the experts.

The event was attended by more than 60 participants, including professionals from print and electronic media as well as students from city media colleges.

  children, unicef