The ABU, CASBAA and UNICEF are now inviting Asia-Pacific broadcasters and producers to submit entries for the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award 2009.
The Award, launched in 2001, is given each year for the best television programming on a child rights issue produced in the Asia-Pacific region. It recognizes the efforts of broadcasters in pursuing the production of top-quality children’s programming and better news coverage of children’s issues.
Programmes both for children and about children are eligible and can cover any child rights issue. Entries can include documentaries that detail the plight of children, dramas that help break down stereotypes and discrimination, or animation that teaches and entertains.
Entries must have been broadcast between June 2008 and May 2009 and must be received by 30 June 2009. The Award will be presented during the CASBAA Convention on 3 – 6 November 2009. The winner will be flown to Hong Kong for the ceremony.
Past winners include:
- 2008: I-Witness: Child Beasts of Burden, by Philippine’s GMA Network Inc.
- 2007: Children Left Behind, by Hong Kong’s Jade TVB
- 2006: Conquering the Darkness – The Fight Against Memories of Abuse, by Japan’s Kansai Telecasting Corporation
- 2005: Juvenile Injustice, by Philippine’s ABS-CBN Channel 2
- 2004: Hong Kong Connection: Children In Need, by Radio Television Hong Kong
- 2003: Angels in Prison, by Philippines’ GMA-7 Channel
- 2002: Child Soldiers, by Radio Television Hong Kong
- 2001: Children Will Grow, by Japan’s Mainichi Institute
Eligible Countries include:
Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, DPR Korea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, , Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Lao PDR, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshal Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea , Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.
Remarks: This competition is open to all ABU and CASBAA members.
For more information, please visit www.childrightsaward.org or contact kjirathun@unicef.org. Details on the Convention on the Rights of the Child can be found at www.unicef.org/crc.
Note to editors:
ORGANISERS
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)
ABU is a non-profit, non-government, professional association of broadcasting organisations, formed in 1964 to facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a forum for promoting the collective interests of television and radio broadcasters, and engages in activities to encourage regional and international co-operation between broadcasters. It currently has more than 180 members in 56 countries and regions, with its broadcaster members reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion people.
It organises many activities and projects to promote excellence in broadcasting, and to improve programmes, skills and technologies of its members, including the ABU Children’s TV Programme Item Exchange.
www.abu.org.my
Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA)
CASBAA is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel television via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia Pacific.
CASBAA represents some 130 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than 3 billion people. Among the highest priorities for CASBAA is the promotion of free and fair markets, the protection of intellectual property rights and the development of thriving and competitive domestic communications industries.
Other key points of focus for CASBAA in 2009 are the impact of mobile technologies; continuing to engage the regulatory authorities in multiple markets; promoting industry development in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam among others and promoting the effectiveness of pay-TV as an advertising vehicle.
www.casbaa.com
United Nations Children’s Fund (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, good 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.
www.unicef.org/eapro; www.unicef.org/rosa
For further information, please contact:
ABU (Kuala Lumpur)
Anom Sani:
+ 603 2282-3592
anom@abu.org.my
CASBAA (Hong Kong)
Carmen Mak/Katie Wong
+852 2854 9913
pr@casbaa.com
UNICEF Bangkok
Madeline Eisner
+66 2 356 9406 or +66 8 1 701 4626
meisner@unicef.org
Kritsada Jirathun
+66 2 356 92 49
or +66 8 9 6993240
kjirathun@unicef.org