CGNet Swara is an audio-based citizen journalism platform that empowers tribal and rural communities in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states to report on hyperlocal issues. Users call a dedicated phone number, record their grievances or news, and listen to community updates. Once submitted, volunteer journalists and moderators verify the reports before publishing them online and relaying them to government officials for action. The platform has been instrumental in highlighting local corruption, land rights issues, and social injustices that mainstream media often overlook. One of its most impactful interventions was in 2015, when villagers reported on CGNet Swara that they hadn’t been paid wages under the MGNREGA scheme. After the report went viral, the government responded, and the wages were credited. CGNet Swara is an IVR-based news platform designed to work on basic mobile phones, enabling people in remote, low-connectivity areas to engage in journalism. It supports multilingual and regionally adapted content, including tribal languages like Gondi and Santhali, overcoming language barriers for indigenous communities. Unlike traditional news, CGNet Swara promotes actionable journalism by allowing real-time grievance redressal, making it interactive and empowering users. The platform also incorporates a trust and credibility model through a human verification process, ensuring authenticity while maintaining a decentralized approach.