SOURCE: UNICEF Myanmar
UNICEF “Young Journalists” Hit the Streets of Myanmar Media By Children For
Children
Yangon, 27 October 2005 – UNICEF Myanmar has trained a dozen “young
journalists” between 12 and 17 years of age who will be placed with eight of
the leading private print publications in Yangon.
The young journalists were trained in basic reporting concepts,
interviewing techniques, photography, story writing and media ethics. They
were then teamed with seasoned reporters, also trained by UNICEF, who will
provide the young people with guidance, and help foster their development as
journalists.
Throughout many parts of the world, children and children’s issues only
comprise a very small proportion of overall media coverage, and quotes from
children rarely make it into print.
“This is one way we hope to give young people in Myanmar an opportunity to
share their ideas with wider audiences,” said UNICEF Representative Carroll
Long, “and it’s a wonderful opportunity for young people to demonstrate just
how much they are capable of.”
For its first group of young journalists, UNICEF selected young people from
disadvantaged backgrounds, who have a unique insight into the challenges
children in Myanmar face. Many said they found inspiration in this
experience.
“Before the training, I didn’t even know what being a journalist was about,”
said one 14-year-old participant. “Now I have learned lots of valuable
things, especially media ethics, which is my favorite lesson of the
training. I’ll never forget to seek the truth as a reporter.”
UNICEF’s young journalists will write articles for private publications in
Myanmar, focusing on newsworthy issues that are relevant to them and other
children.
“Young people’s ideas are valuable, worthy of respect, and should be heard,”
said Carroll Long. “While adults have an important role to play in
educating children, we should never forget that children can teach us much
about life as well.”
***************
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) establishes that children
have the right to express their views, and the right to impart information
through the media. Myanmar ratified the CRC in 1991.
***************
For further information please contact:
Jason Rush, Communication Officer, UNICEF in Myanmar
Phone: (95 1) 212 086, Fax: (95 1) 212 063
Email: jrush@unicef.org
Jason M. Rush
Communication Officer
UNICEF Myanmar
Office: (95 1) 212 086
Mobile: (95) 951 22 696
Fax: (95 1) 212 063
Email: jasonmrush@unicef.org
Web: www.unicef.org/myanmar
UNICEF Myanmar
6th Floor, Yangon International Hotel
330 Ahlone Road, Dagon Township
Yangon 11191, Myanmar
______________________________
_________________________________________
Chris Schuepp
Young People's Media Network - Coordinator
c/o ECMC (European Centre for Media Competence)
Bergstr. 8 / 11th floor
D-45770 Marl - Germany
Tel./Fax: +49 2365 502480
Email: cschuepp@unicef.org
URL: www.unicef.org/magic
Mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/youthful-media
The YPMN is supported by UNICEF and hosted by the ECMC.
The opinions and views expressed in this message and/or articles & websites
linked to from this message do not necessarily reflect the views of the
United Nations or its agencies.
_________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment