admineach year, presenting a unique opportunity for child broadcasters to air their views on national radio and television stations.
“I have always wanted to be on radio but never got the chance so I am happy this day was set aside for us to broadcast and showcase our talent,” said Tinashe Samuriwo from Epworth.
“Tomorrow is my day to show Zimbabwe what I am made of as I will be doing it big on television. I am anticipating to co-present with Aldridge Siwawa because he is my inspiration,” said another excited teen Anesu Mukonyora from Glen Norah A. Anesu extended her gratitude to the relevant authorities for presenting more platforms for children to express their views. She, however, said this should not only happen on the ICDB but regularly.
“Children should be allowed to participate in the country’s decision-making process like what is happening in the Junior Council and Parliament because it is a way of empowering them,” she said.
Hilton Musekiwa, also applauded initiatives like The Herald’s Cool Lifestyle for giving the children in all parts of Zimbabwe a voice to speak freely in the paper that is exclusively for teens.
“I wish it could be extended to radio, too. There should be a station that deals only with the issues of children with children’s news, reporters and presenters like how Cool lifestyle does,” he said.
In 1991 the media and broadcasting industry was challenged by United Nations international Children’s Fund to do more for children in terms of broadcasting.
With the help of the International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting was launched and broadcasters eagerly took up the challenge.
Broadcasters began to allow children to be part of the programming process. The children talk about their hopes and dreams and share information with their peers.
Over the years, children’s participation became keystone of the ICDB. In 2008 Unicef began to award its own ICDB Awards, which honoured both television and radio broadcasters whose ICDB programming best embodied the mission of the day.
The huge increase in participants is only part of this success. ICDB has provided governments, broadcasters’ communities and children themselves, with a powerful opportunity to create not only a better broadcasting environment but also a better world for young people.
Fortune Mutibura (17) from Glen View 7 said broadcast stations should initiate child development programmes not only just on television but also on radio as it plays a very critical role in shaping children’s lives.
Online Reporter