BANGLADESH: 'Give children enough space in media to express views'

A two-day national consultation on "Children's Participation in Media" ended here yesterday with a framework to pave the way for effective partnership among television channels, development partners, government, NGOs and children

The Daily Star
Friday, March 19, 2004

A two-day national consultation on "Children's Participation in Media" ended here yesterday with a framework to pave the way for effective partnership among television channels, development partners, government, NGOs and children.

Organised by UNICEF, the consultation brought together key decision-makers from media in a face to face discussion with potential partners.

The group discussion, to give practical suggestions for enhancing the role of all the partners, was preceded by a succinct summary of the positive examples of children's active participation in television programmes.

Speaking at the concluding session Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui urged the media to come forward in making children's participation in the media meaningful.

"In finding a route to participation through freedom of expression and access to the media will encourage children to assume increasing responsibilities as active, tolerant and democratic citizens", he said.

UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Morten Giersing appreciated the television channels pioneering efforts in creating space for children.

"Peace and friendship within and between families, societies and nations, including the concepts of non-discrimination, non-violence and tolerance can only be achieved if children are given enough space to express their views", Morten said.

He also urged the government to explore the possibility of setting up a radio channel for children so that children can talk to each other on their own premises.

The participants agreed on a framework of co-operation that outlined a number of practical strategies to strengthen the idea of children's participation in the media that includes setting up children's media network, use of information technology and broadcast of issue-based programmes at a time appropriate to children.

UNICEF organised the national consultation on the backdrop of 4th World Summit on Media for Children and Adolescents, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from April 19 to 23.

Date Posted: 3/19/2004