Ten outstanding documentaries shortlisted for the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television 2014
Bangkok, Hong Kong, 18 September 2014 – Ten outstanding TV programmes about children and their rights have been shortlisted for the 2014 Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for broadcasting. The issues and countries covered by the finalists include trafficking in China, child labour in India, slavery in Nepal, and disability in the Philippines.
“There were many heart breaking moments in these programmes, and powerful stories that capture the plight of children,” the jurors said. “Some of the film crews enter areas that other producers might consider too dangerous or risky. There are some beautiful production values, with good writing, filming and soundtracks.”
The award has been run by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), CASBAA and UNICEF since 2001. It recognizes the efforts of broadcasters and producers in pursuing high quality children’s television and better coverage of children’s issues. It is given each year to the best programme on children’s rights produced in the Asia-Pacific region.
“These documentaries show what a powerful medium television can be at its best, shining a bright light on real issues children face and challenging and stimulating viewers,” said Christopher de Bono, UNICEF's Regional Chief of Communication for East Asia and Pacific. “We were very impressed with the overall quality of the entries, which are both inspiring and entertaining.”
This year’s award will be presented during the ABU General Assembly in Macau, on 27 October 2014. The ten finalists are:
‘101 East: The Lost Boy’, produced by Al Jazeera EnglishThis documentary addresses the issue of child labour in India, where 29 million children aged between 5-14 are working as child labourers. Thousands of them are believed to be employed in the lucrative mines of India's Meghalaya state, risking injury and even death in coal pits.
‘101 East: Nepal's Slave Girls’, produced by Al Jazeera English
Slavery is banned in Nepal. But hidden behind the walls of city homes, some rich families still keep young girls as slaves called kamlaris (a system in which girls from poor families are sold into domestic slavery). This documentary revisited lives of some kamlaris who were abused, raped, tortured or even killed by their employers.
Slavery is banned in Nepal. But hidden behind the walls of city homes, some rich families still keep young girls as slaves called kamlaris (a system in which girls from poor families are sold into domestic slavery). This documentary revisited lives of some kamlaris who were abused, raped, tortured or even killed by their employers.
‘Reel Time: Dunkoy’, produced by GMA News TV
Dunkoy, 9, has been abandoned by his parents. He has taken care of his paralyzed 51-year-old grandmother for years. With his small hands, he cleans her up and takes the role of a guardian for his grandmother. This huge responsibility has forced him to quit school.
Dunkoy, 9, has been abandoned by his parents. He has taken care of his paralyzed 51-year-old grandmother for years. With his small hands, he cleans her up and takes the role of a guardian for his grandmother. This huge responsibility has forced him to quit school.
‘Reel Time: Wheels’, produced by GMA News TV
Rowell, 15, has been unable to walk since an accident as a baby. On his wheelchair, Rowell works as a ‘barker’ along a busy road, helping bus drivers call out for passengers in exchange for a few coins. He lives in a public market near the loading area for buses. A few times a month, he travels almost 10 kilometres along the highway – a trip that takes him two hours on his wheelchair – to visit his mother and bring her money and rice.
Rowell, 15, has been unable to walk since an accident as a baby. On his wheelchair, Rowell works as a ‘barker’ along a busy road, helping bus drivers call out for passengers in exchange for a few coins. He lives in a public market near the loading area for buses. A few times a month, he travels almost 10 kilometres along the highway – a trip that takes him two hours on his wheelchair – to visit his mother and bring her money and rice.
‘Motorcycle Diaries: The Rights of Children’, produced by GMA News TV
Poverty denies countless Filipino children their basic rights. In this documentary, Motorcycle Diaries brings this issue to the fore, shining a light on the problems that millions of children in the Philippines struggle with.
Poverty denies countless Filipino children their basic rights. In this documentary, Motorcycle Diaries brings this issue to the fore, shining a light on the problems that millions of children in the Philippines struggle with.
‘Front Row (Orphaned)’, produced by GMA News TV
This documentary follows the daily life of a 10-year-old girl, Princess, who works at a wet market as a washer of produce. She receives five to twenty pesos (0.1 to 0.5 cents) for her work. After working for the entire morning, Princess then proceeds to her second job, gathering and selling recyclable trash from her neighbours. She has to do this every day to feed her three younger siblings who have been left by their parents.
This documentary follows the daily life of a 10-year-old girl, Princess, who works at a wet market as a washer of produce. She receives five to twenty pesos (0.1 to 0.5 cents) for her work. After working for the entire morning, Princess then proceeds to her second job, gathering and selling recyclable trash from her neighbours. She has to do this every day to feed her three younger siblings who have been left by their parents.
‘I-Witness: Black Manila’, produced by GMA News TV
The documentary team visited a black smoky square mark in Manila, Philippines where poor children work and many babies die soon after birth. It's a nightmarish world and a grimy, toxic place. But, for reasons this documentary reveals, residents prefer living here over their other options.
The documentary team visited a black smoky square mark in Manila, Philippines where poor children work and many babies die soon after birth. It's a nightmarish world and a grimy, toxic place. But, for reasons this documentary reveals, residents prefer living here over their other options.
‘Reporter’s Notebook: Dreams Amid the Ashes’, produced by GMA News TV
This documentary follows Junjun, 12, who lost his house after a fire swept through Malabon, Manila. Together with his six siblings, he now calls the streets home. To help provide for his family, Junjun dives deep into a swamp filled with waste and ashes. Although scavenging is hazardous, Junjun does it in an attempt to rebuild their home and lives.
This documentary follows Junjun, 12, who lost his house after a fire swept through Malabon, Manila. Together with his six siblings, he now calls the streets home. To help provide for his family, Junjun dives deep into a swamp filled with waste and ashes. Although scavenging is hazardous, Junjun does it in an attempt to rebuild their home and lives.
‘Undercover Asia: Invisible Children’, produced by Channel News Asia
Every year in China, 70,000 children disappear, falling prey to human traffickers. Chen Zhu lost his daughter in 2005 when she was snatched at the school’s gate. He has since spent all his savings searching for her. Zai Zai has devoted his entire life to helping parents like Chen Zhu find their missing children, and has helped rescue hundreds of abducted children.
Every year in China, 70,000 children disappear, falling prey to human traffickers. Chen Zhu lost his daughter in 2005 when she was snatched at the school’s gate. He has since spent all his savings searching for her. Zai Zai has devoted his entire life to helping parents like Chen Zhu find their missing children, and has helped rescue hundreds of abducted children.
‘A Singaporean Abroad: Mongolia’, produced by Channel News Asia
Stephanie Seow is only 24, but for several years she has run an annual camp for disadvantaged youngsters in the beautiful Mongolian countryside. This year she faces a bigger challenge than usual, taking care children who have suffered serious abuse.
Stephanie Seow is only 24, but for several years she has run an annual camp for disadvantaged youngsters in the beautiful Mongolian countryside. This year she faces a bigger challenge than usual, taking care children who have suffered serious abuse.
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More information
For more information about the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television, please visit: www.childrightsaward.org
For more information about the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television, please visit: www.childrightsaward.org
To view the shortlisted documentaries, visit:
tinyurl.com/childrights2014
tinyurl.com/childrights2014
For media enquiries, please contact:
Kritsada Jirathun
UNICEF Asia Pacific (Bangkok)
+66 2 356 92 49kjirathun@unicef.org
UNICEF Asia Pacific (Bangkok)
+66 2 356 92 49kjirathun@unicef.org
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