This document discusses the potential of Web-TV as an innovative digital communication tool for think tanks. It outlines how Web-TV allows think tanks to reach a global audience and disseminate their research in a visual format. The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Pakistan launched their own Web-TV channel, the Sustainable Development Television (SDTV), in 2011 to highlight sustainable development issues. SDTV produces news, documentaries, and other programming to engage wider audiences and enhance SDPI's outreach. The document argues that Web-TV is an effective way for think tanks to share their knowledge and research with beneficiaries.

1. 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

2.  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?

3.  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)

4.  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

5.  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

6. 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

7.  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

8.  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?

9.  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

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