INTRODUCTION
OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S MEDIA NETWORK
IN TANZANIA (YOMNET):
Kindly refer to the
heading above. We are the Network of children and youth who are
working in the media in Tanzania. On the April 19-23, Tanzania
participated in the 4th World summit on Media for
children and adolescent held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
and youth in that summit.
In respond to the request UNICEF organized a preparatory meeting
with the Rio participants and representatives of children and
youth from various media bodies in Tanzania such as TV and Radio
presenters and producers, film makers, camera people, reporters,
wall magazines, cartoonists and others.
After the Rio summit,
UNICEF held another meeting to get feedback from the Rio
participants. Here is where the idea of forming a young media
network in Tanzania came out. On 21-22 of June 2004, another
meeting was held specifically to form a network with clear
objectives of increasing, strengthen and coordinating children
and youth activities and participation in the media.
Way forward, the interim
secretariat of 8 children and youth was elected in order to
facilitate the establishment of the network countrywide
including setting up strategies, action plans and the
registration process for the new network.
It’s the fact that youth
and children are the majority consumers of media products which
cut across the fast growing technology; form newspapers, radio,
and television to Internet access.
Even though most of the
stories, news and incidents reportedly in media concerning them
have been bias and lacking appreciation of their potentials and
apprehend factories that’s give them life. In regard to this
young people and children need to be consulted and involved in
designing and delivery of massages and information that for them
rather than being recipients of the messages. The information
given should be based on relevance and reality in addressing
critical issues and provokes dialogue and stimulate discussions
among children, young people and their communities.
Therefore, we here-by to
introduce to you and your office this network, so that we would
be able to work hand in hand in protecting and safe guard the
welfare of young people in the media industrious and strengthen,
increase their participation in the media.
It’s our hope you and
your office will work with us in building Tanzania fit for youth
and children.
