Asia is home to most of the world’s children

1. Asia is home to most of the world’s children about 500 million potential TV viewers and media users but most Asian countries do not: • have a fulltime children’s and youth programme department in public or commercial TV • have clear and specific policies to promote media for children • have enough locally produced children’s media In most Asian countries almost 40% of the media consumers are below age 15

2. Many Asian children live in poverty, do not complete schooling nor have access to basic social services. Some Asian children have access to all forms of media: TV, computers and software, the internet. The quality?

3. Asian Summit on Child Rights and the Media drawing attention to the needs of Asian children from a child rights’ perspective Asian Declaration on Child Rights and the Media July 5, 1996 towards a political and economic commitment to a child-friendly, high quality, culturally-relevant media environment for Asia’s children

4. The Issues:Asian children and the Media Influence and Access to Media “One should be aware of the fact that in the Third World, half of the entire population of children still have no access to even terrestial television services. Thus, there will be a danger that the communication revolution currently taking place would further widen the gap between the information rich and the information poor.” Naohiro Kato former ABU Program Director Without question, media has power. It has been demonstrated that the power of television can be harnessed for the common good of our children or be used to their detriment. Thus, we are duly bound to use this power - to teach and to inform, to uplift and enrich the minds and livesof our children. Menardo Jimenez President, GMA-7 Network, Philippines

5. Media for ChildrenStriving for qualityStriving for a balance between: • what is culturally relevant and giving children a window to the world • programmes for children and for adults • between commercialisation and public service TV, media and other activities in children’s lives TV is not the only media our children are exposed to. But because TV is the most compelling medium, TV is cheap and accessible….delivers entertainment right in our living room… it has become the medium with the most telling effect on the way our children think, behave, shape their habits and attitudes and view the world. The world is changing fast and we cannot justleave our children to the mercies of TV. For to do so it to default. Malou Mangahas Editor in Chief, Manila Times

6. Media for Children How much violence is there? • 50% of all programs on television contain violent incidents and scenes. Average number of violent incidents: 6.2 incidents per hour. On average for every 10 minutes there is one violent incident.

7. Media for Children When is violence most likely to be present? 50% of violent programs occur in the 5-9 PM time slot which is also the time with the greatest number of children ages 2-17 viewing TV

8. Media for Children Cultural Diversity Clearly a change in ethos is needed if local cultures are to be preserved and if Asian children are to grow up with this ideal mix of the best that various cultures have to offer, especially their own. Local cultures will live or die according to the extent that local production is supported so every country must support its own programs. Dr. Patricia Edgar, Australia

9. Media for Children

10. Media for Children Regulation and Reform State’s responsibility : • develop enabling policies to address provision of quality local media • promoting standards of quality and optimal levels of production and development • Private media: • serious self-regulation • higher standards for children’s media • more resources

11. Media for Children International partnerships within and across regions for capacity-building, programme exchanges, co-production, research ABU Children’s Item Exchange Prix Jeunesse-Goethe Institut Workshops on production UNICEF-AIBD workshop Philippine Children’s Television Foundation, Inc.

12. Media for Children Children’s Voices Asia’s children must not only be seen. They must also be heard. … provide opportunities for children in creating media…express themselves on a wide range of issues relating to their needs and interests. Asian Declaration of Child Rights and the Media Media Education Children’s Participation

13. Children’s Media Wish List • We want high quality programmes made just for us - programmes that will not use us as subjects to sell products or ideas. We want to learn as well as have fun! • We want to express our ideas on these programmes. We want to talk about our families, friends, and communities. We want to share what we know about ourselves and others. • We want to hear what other children are going through - what games they play, what songs they sing, what problems they have to solve in their own parts of the world.

14. Children’s Media Wish List • We want programmes that will make us confident so that we can handle the process of growing-up--No sex scenes or violence, please! • We want programmes considerate of our needs as growing children that we can watch at regular time slots. • We want support from everyone to allow these progammes to be the best they can be. • Listen to us. Take us seriously. Support these programmes and protect our rights!