25 Aug 2014 Multimedia Laboratory for Impacting the South-East of Mexico

Communication and Poverty

Mexico

Since its creation in 1995 the Mexican NGO Asociación Ecológica Sto Tomás has used audiovisuals to advocate in defence of Mexico’s natural resources in the country’s south-east region. In particular the NGO has been active in Chontalpa-Costa region and the state of Tabasco. The group received support from WACC to purchase equipment and materials which enabled it to produce two documentaries: the first around the impact of oil digging in the environment in the region while the second dealt with the environmental impact of electricity generating. The real effects and impact on the people of these activities are hardly ever mentioned in Mexico’s mainstream media which are subject to an unstated monopoly of political and economic interests which influences their news agenda. In general few citizenship communication and information initiatives exist in south-east Mexico, making the situation worse in this part of the country. Over the years the Asociación Ecológica Santo Tomás has created an alternative space for information using audio and video media, specifically in the State of Tabasco. The group now has a multimedia lab which allows them to open up the discussion among citizens allowing them to promote alternatives solutions to the problems, solutions that benefit those living in poverty in the region rather than benefitting private interests.

Final Report