November 11, 2006

AWARDS: Japanese broadcaster wins 2006 Child Rights Award

Japanese broadcaster wins 2006 Child Rights Award

Kansai Telecasting Corporation of Japan was declared the winner of the ABU-CASBAA-UNICEF Children?s Rights Award 2006 tonight for its year-long reportage on child abuse in the country.

The winning documentary, entitled ?Conquering the Darkness ? The Fight Against Memories of Abuse?, features a 33-year-old mother who was abused as a child and who subsequently abused her own children.

Its producer, Shinichi Sugimoto, received the award during the ABU Prizes 2006 presentation ceremony which was held on the first day of the 43rd ABU General Assembly in Beijing.

On his win, he said: "We are often quick to point the finger at parents who abuse their children, but patterns of abuse so often begin in childhood, creating a chain that can continue over generations.

"I am greatly honoured that our documentary has been selected for the Child Right's Award. I also would like to urge the media to help us realise our quest for a society free of abuse, prejudice and persecution."

Established in 2001, the Child Rights Award is given to the best television programming on a child rights issues produced in the Asia-Pacific region. It recognises the efforts of broadcasters in pursuing the production of top-quality children's programmes and better news coverage of children's issues.

This year, the Child Rights Award received a total of 40 entries from countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea and Singapore.

ABU Secretary-General, David Astley, said: "The Child Rights Award is a significant platform that allows broadcasters in the Asia- Pacific to demonstrate their ability to produce quality programming on children's issues. The ABU wants to encourage broadcasters to continue to invest in such programmes in the future."

Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), said that the continued participation of regional broadcasters in the award underlined their resolve towards producing educational and entertaining programmes for and about children.

Madeline Eisner, UNICEF Regional Communication Advisor for East Asia and the
Pacific Office, said: "This year's entries continue to illustrate the great influence television wields to command the attention of viewers regarding issues affecting children and comes at a timely moment with the just released UN Secretary-General's study on violence against children."


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Chris Schuepp
Young People's Media Network - Coordinator
 
Youth Media Consulting GbR
c/o ECMC (European Centre for Media Competence)
Bergstr. 8 / 11th floor
D-45770 Marl - Germany
 
Tel./Fax: +49 2365 502480
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Email: cschuepp@unicef.org
URL: www.unicef.org/magic
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