China and Ghana broadcasters win 2008 International Day of Broadcasting Awards

UNICEF presented the 2008 International Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Awards to China Central Television and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
The television and radio broadcasters won the awards for programmes focusing on the theme The World We Want and demonstrating dedication to young people’s participation in the media.

“We are very impressed with the high quality of programming from all of our nominees, and their commitment to supporting and developing youth-produced media,” said Karen Cirillo, UNICEF’s Executive Producer for Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives. “The winners of the ICDB in both radio and television reflect a creative vision for the inclusion of youth voices and youth participation.”

The awards ceremony was held on 10 November 2008 at Aquavit Restaurant in New York and was hosted by international journalist Femi Oke. 
China Central Television’s winning entry, “On the Road,” was a short documentary that features the stories of nine children in China coming from diverse backgrounds. The documentary uses these children’s often long and difficult journeys to and from school to explore their dedication to education and their aspirations for themselves and their families.

This year’s other television nominees are Channel I (Bangladesh, “The Winner”), KI.KA - Der Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF (Germany, “TRICKBOXX in Arabia”), Channels Television (Nigeria, “ICDB 2007 – The World We Want”), Asociacion Nacional de Television Red TV (Peru, “Napa”) and Spacetoons Kids TV (Arabic Region, Iraq, “The World We Want”). 

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s winning entry was a series of radio programmes dedicated to the ICDB theme of The World We Want. It included their year-round youth produced programme, “Uniq Curious Minds,” comprised of news reports filed by young people, a feature on a young reporter, and a discussion among youth reporters about relevant social issues affecting young people in Ghana today, such as HIV/AIDS and education reform.

The other radio nominees are Radio Nacional de Angola (Angola, “The World We Want”),  Rádio MEC, a broadcast service of EBC - Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (Brazil, “Radio MEC no Dia Internacional da Crianca no Radio e na TV”), Radio Beijing Corporation (China, “Listen to Children, Listen to Nature”), Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIB) Radio Broadcasting (Iran, “Radio Tiny”) and Equal Access Nepal (Nepal, “Chatting with my Best Friend”).
Next year’s edition of the ICDB Awards will be held on 1 March. Its theme will be: Unite for Children – Tune in to Kids!

About ICDB:
The ICDB was launched in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness for children’s issues. Each December, these youth write, report, produce and present programmes that allow them to express their thoughts on the issues that affect them. In 1994, the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting Award was established to honor the broadcaster who best embraces the spirit of the ICDB. Starting next year, the date of the awards will be moved to the first Sunday in March to allow for more participation. 
  
About UNICEF:
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

UNICEF