ERIC ED464730: News from International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence on the Screen (ICCVOS), 2001.

22 Pages·2001·0.43 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
PS 030 343
ED 464 730
von Feilitzen, Cecilia, Ed.
AUTHOR
News from International Clearinghouse on Children and
TITLE
Violence on the Screen (ICCVOS), 2001.
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
INSTITUTION
International Clearinghouse
Organization, Goteborg (Sweden) .
on Children and Violence on the Screen.
2001-00-00
PUB DATE
21p.; Published three times per year. Only one issue
NOTE
published in 2001. For volume 4, see ED 449 884.
UNESCO International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence
AVAILABLE FROM
on the Screen, Nordicom, Goteborg University, Box 713,
SE-405 30 Goteborg, Sweden. Tel: [phone]; Fax:
46-31-773-46-55; e-mail: [email protected]. For full
text: http://www.nordicom.gu.se.
Information Analyses
Serials (022)
Collected Works
PUB TYPE
(070)
News from ICCVOS; v5 n1 2001
JOURNAL CIT
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Adolescents; Advertising; *Children; Childrens Rights;
DESCRIPTORS
Childrens Television; Foreign Countries; Gender Issues; Mass
Media; *Mass Media Effects; Mass Media Role; *Mass Media
Use; Rape; Television Viewing; *Violence
Media Education; UNESCO
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This document represents the only issue of UNESCO
International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence on the Screen's
newsletter published in 2001. The report describes research findings
concerning children and media violence, children's media use, and activities
aimed at limiting gratuitous media violence. One article summarizes three
workshops held at a European Commission Expert Seminar dealing with
protecting minors from harmful content on the Internet and in video and
computer games, protecting minors from harmful content in the television
environment, and creating a "fair play" situation in television advertising
directed at children. Future conferences dealing with children and media
violence and global campaigns promoting children's rights are also described.
A third article describes media literacy and participation programs in
Argentina, Canada, Japan, and Spain. The report also reviews an anthology
intended to provide a stimulus for adolescent discussion related to the
construction of gender in television, advertising, and film. Recent findings
on the depiction of rape in American television series are also presented.
The report concludes with a list of relevant coming events.
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The UNESCO International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence on the Screen
C. tents
EU Expert Seminar 3
Forums, Summit, Movements 8
Media Literacy and Children's
Participation 11
Media Violence 15
Coming Events 18
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
anD
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
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News from
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Vol. 5 No. 1
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Published by
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services.
Web site:
http://www.nordicom.gu.se
We are interested in research related to children, young people and media
DIRECTOR: Ulla Carlsson
violence, children's access to media and their media use, media education,
media for children, children's participation in the media, and in documentation
To contact the Clearinghouse
of measures and activities of relevance to this field.
EDITOR AND SCIENTIFIC CO-ORDINATOR:
Cecilia von Feilitzen
News briefs and short articles to our newsletter, "News from ICCVOS", will be
Tel: [phone]
greatly valued, as will notices of coming and recent conferences, seminars and
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E-mail: [email protected]
other events; of new publications; and of active associations and organisations
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Catharina Bucht
with children and media in view.
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if
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as a means of making your own work known
in wider circles, and as a way to keep abreast of others' work.
3
EU Expen Semnnar:
CM dren and Young
Peop e
h the New Ved[la
ndscapie
a
The Swedish Presidency of the European Union,
an important task in taking the discussions on
in co-operation with the European Commission,
methods and responsibilities into practice.
organised an expert seminar in Stockholm on 12-
As an introduction to the discussions two
13 February 2001, entitled "Children and Young
school classes of 11-year-olds presented their views
People in the New Media Landscape".
on the mass media in society and in their own
The seminar brought together more than 200
lives by performing a self-made production com-
representatives from governments and authorities
posed of song, music, dances and sketches.
within the Member States and Candidate coun-
As a contribution to the following workshops,
tries, EU institutions, media industries and non-
Cecilia von Feilitzen, PhD, made an outline of
research findings on children and media in the
governmental organisations.
The theme of the seminar was the situation of
new media landscape.
minors in the media, seen in the light of the rap-
At the end of the seminar representatives of
idly evolving media landscape due to the impact
European public service broadcasters, supple-
of globalisation, digitalisation, the emergence of
mented by representatives of private television,
new media and the growth of media output. The
underlined how quality programming could play
issues discussed were protection of minors from
an important role for the healthy development
harmful content on the Internet, in computer and
and well being of children.
video games and on television, and also television
The European Commission gave in its con-
advertising directed at children.
cluding speech some orientations concerning their
The seminar focused on the questions on what
further work on the question of protection of
children should be protected from and why, how
minors from harmful content in the media and
the protection should be accomplished and who is
also on the question of advertising directed at
Note
to be responsible for achieving the protection.
children.
1. The full document and other
material from the seminar are
The Swedish Minister of Culture, Mrs Marita
available on the Presidency web
Ulvskog, opened the seminar and expressed her
The text above and the following ones summaris-
site http://www.eu2001.se/
gratitude to all participants coming to the seminar
ing the discussions of the three workshops at the
calendar
Please type date of the event,
to take part in the discussions. She underlined the-
seminar are excerpts from the "Presidency Report
12/02/2001, and tick the box
and Conclusions".' 0
importance of the theme and that the seminar had
"Other meetings".
Workshop 1:
Protedon of lilnors from Harmful Content
on the !Internet and h Vkleo and Computer Games
In the Internet, video and computer games work-
necessary. Moreover, there appears to exist a dif-
shop there was a general consensus that children,
ferent basis of values in Europe compared to the
regardless of age, need protection from harmful
US but even within Europe it is difficult to estab-
content.
lish a common platform of values.
The group agreed that the discussion of protec-
The European Commission representative in-
tion this day applied to the age group ten to fif-
formed about the outcome so far of the evaluation
teen year olds.
of the Recommendation on the protection of mi-
Note
Many speakers noted that different cultural
nors and human dignity.' The Commission is co-
1. The evaluation report was
aspects and values come into play when discussing
funding several European initiatives such as
published on February 27, 2001
- see under the heading
these issues. Bad language, nudity, violence and
projects aiming at giving parents technical tools of
"Protection of Minors: Same
sex were mentioned as areas where protection is
protection and to awareness raising actions. Filter-
Rules for All Media?", p. 7.
4
Neun from 1CCVOS, pot 5, 2001, no. 1
3
decides whether or not to accept the statements
ing techniques as such is a controversial matter
coming in to the chat.
but all agree that awareness-raising projects are
Concerning content restricting methods certain
desirable.
apprehensions were raised about limiting the right
Around fifty awareness-raising projects are un-
of free speech. The consumer representative raised
der way also involving Norway and Iceland.
worries about disregarding the rights of the child
Twelve member states have implemented codes of
in favour of the right of free speech.
conduct. Several of these codes have been drawn
There is not only a need for better tools of
up by Internet service providers but they do not
protection, speakers said, parents also need to get
of
concern matters of content, but rather matters
a better understanding of and information about
services. The Commission representative stressed
what tools of protection there actually are today.
the importance that all parties involved should
Several speakers stressed the importance of
take part in this process, the Internet industry as
greater user-friendliness. An increased interaction
well as national authorities and users.
between technicians, consumers and Internet
Several methods of protection were presented
Service Providers was sought for. Full transparency
such as technical devices, awareness raising meth-
technical
was desired in regard of intended
ods, media education. The importance of self-
schemes.
regulation was stressed which also comprises the
Consumer choice and empowering the consu-
importance of codes of conduct set up by the in-
organization
mer can, according to the consumer
dustry.
representative, only grow if more Internet sites are
So-called walled gardens where children safely
rated. By increasing the number of rated sites,
solution
can interact was mentioned but no secure
consumers can choose what sites to go to, and
also
has yet been developed.
what rating systems to use.
Another method presented was awareness rais-
Concerning computer and video games, the
ing actions, implying actions designed at creating
self-regulatory age rating system adapted by parts
and dan-
a higher level of awareness of what risks
of the European computer and video game indus-
the
gers a child can be subjected to when using
try was presented as well as a wish for a common
Internet. Awareness raising actions are aimed at
European level of rating.
children, parents, and others from the adult soci-
The question of who is to be responsible for
ety and include measures of how to deal with
the protection of minors was aiso raised. The roles
those risks.
of parents, schools, the government and national
An additional means of protection mentioned
authorities, Internet service providers and Internet
display sites
was white and black lists. These lists
content providers were highlighted. Due to the
that a certain portal or other content provider
complex media situation a precise balance be-
would offer access to or respectively, block the
tween these actors was difficult to define.
access to.
One speaker mentioned the present switch in
However, this day focus remained on rating
shouldering responsibilities. In a traditional media
and filtering techniques, their possibilities and
environment national authorities carry a responsi-
limitations. Several speakers stressed the difficul-
bility of protection, which to a certain extent no
ties in defining neutral descriptive systems for
longer is efficient. The media landscape of today is
rating Internet content. An ongoing process of
more complex and media use is becoming more
refining these classification tools will give parents
individualised and consequently the role of the
and other adults even better choices.
parents and the government needs to be re-de-
A need for third party raters was also expressed.
fined.
Corresponding to the consumer's own values and
Looking into the future the panel agreed that
cultural preferences a broad range of sites com-
the Internet is a rapidly evolving phenomenon
piled by a sort of librarians could be offered as a
that will become more mature. While traditional
free or commercial service.
media industries will move in, alternative societies
Moderated chat rooms was presented as a
will remain which means that anarchistic
means of protection of minors using chat rooms.
subcultures will co-exisr with an established
A moderated chat differs from a conventional chat
Internet. 0
in the sense that a physical person supervises and
Thank you!
Update. The information
Many readers kindly answered to our request for a Project and Publication
wider audience
received about your work is most valuable for our data base and will be spread to a
newsletter and other
through inquiries continuously made to the Clearinghouse, or through our
work!
publications. Once again, thank you and please continue to keep us abreast of your
5
Newsfrom ICCVOS, vet 5, 2001, no.
4
Workshop 2:
Protedon of 3/Inors from liarmftfiD Content
h a 0110tM and Uoball Televklon Envonment
a question of the future and that we must not
The workshop started by highlighting the many
forget that non-interactive analogue television is
benefits of television giving us news, information,
still the reality for most European households.
entertainment, suspense and keeping us informed
People's media habits do not change as rapidly as
about what life can be outside of our own lives.
technology. Thus, conventional methods like wa-
The issue of what to protect children from was
tersheds are still valid.
answered by several participants as violence, sexual
There was a presentation of the Oxford study
acts, discrimination, use of drugs and alcohol,
on parental control' showing the triangle of 1)
rude language and commercial exploitation.
meta-information, giving value neutral informa-
But variations were expressed in the priority of
tion to parents, 2) technical devices to filter the
these topics and it was considered important to
meta-information, to be used on a voluntary basis
respect the cultural differences. A further Euro-
by the consumer 3) media education. It was
pean dialogue in order to reach a consensus was
stressed that in the new digital age parents will be
asked for but as a long-term process. One example
an important part of the protection. According to
in the field of film classification was referred to
recent studies parents want to be in charge of the
where a dialogue lasting for ten years had resulted
protection of their children but they need tools,
in a useful mutual understanding between three
which are mainly lacking today. On the question
European countries.
of how a system would work for children with
The need to protect children was mentioned as
parents who do not care about this, the answer
an ethical issue rather than an issue of evidence of
was that every system would fail if parents do not
influence. During the discussion on classification
care. There was clear consensus that the growing
of content there was a clear distinction between a
responsibility and possibilities of parents should
value neutral descriptive classification like "nu-
not by any means decrease the responsibility of
dity" or "violence" and an evaluative classification
broadcasters.
like "harmful" or the use of age recommendations.
The Commission gave a brief report on the
It was considered easier to reach consensus on
evaluation of the Recommendation on the protec-
neutral content descriptions than on age recom-
tion of minors and human dignity (981560/EC).2
mendations, which would differ from one country
The national reports show encouraging results but
to another. There were critical remarks in the
also very heterogeneous approaches to self-regula-
discussions about how neutral a neutral classifica-
tion. Very little has so far been done regarding
tion can be, for example when it comes to vio-
computer games, while hotlines for the Internet
lence in the news.
are established in several countries. Industry ac-
Many speakers underlined the fact that restric-
tivities include the rating and filtering system of
tions are not the only way and that controlling
ICRA, the work of European Internet Service
content is not necessarily the best means of pro-
Providers and of the Digital Video Broadcasting
tection. Instead of protection children also need to
Consortium. The Commission also reported on
be prepared. Several times emphasis was put on
the Internet Action Plan.
quality programming for children, addressing
The forthcoming revision of the directive
dignity and respect for the needs of children.
"Television without frontiers" will include public
A frequently used word was "empowerment".
consultations and may well be influenced by the
Almost all of the speakers mentioned media edu-
evaluation report of the Recommendation in re-
cation as an important and positive means of em-
spect of all electronic content. The revision will
powering children, and that media education
include three studies: on advertising techniques,
should be part of the regular school system. Media
on technical devices and on promotion of Euro-
education was stressed as equally important for
Notes
pean content. One of the conclusions of the
parents, broadcasters and producers of children's
1. This study, performed earlier
Commission is that the basic aims for audiovi-
programmes. It was mentioned that starting
by the University of Oxford,
sual policy will remain the same, but the means
PCMLP, on behalf of the
school means awareness of reading and writing,
European Commission is
may change. In that respect the Commission
but at that stage children have already been media
available on http://
mentioned that the fundamental principle of pro-
consumers for many years with no education at
europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/
legis/key_doc/parental_control/
portionality is valid also for the protection of mi-
all. The workshop was informed that in some
index_en.htm
nors.
countries there were educational projects on a pre-
2. The evaluation report was
published on February 27, 2001
There was a presentation of the new Nether-
school level.
- see under the heading
lands Institute for Classification of Audiovisual
There was a widespread belief that the full
"Protection of Minors: Same
Rules for All Media?", p. 7.
Media, NICAM, starting a self-regulation system
benefit of convergence and digitalisation is mainly
6
5
News firom ICCVOS.1.12L 5, 2001, no. 1
I
The white paper on the Office of Communica-
for film, video, television and videogames this
tions, OFCOM, in the UK was briefly presented.
month. The aim is to deliver media neutral infor-
Some doubts on the effect of self-regulation
mation to consumers in the form of age recom-
mendations. The classification will be done by
were expressed and the need for evaluations, ac-
countability, transparency and sanctions in a self-
hundreds of classifiers working separately accord-
regulatory system was stressed. When it comes to
ing to a specific system of rules. To join the sys-
sanctions the Commission declared that the TV
tem is voluntary and in two years the experiment
of NICAM will be evaluated by the state.
directive is still valid.
mishap 3:
W
Tvo Adverthung akected at ChHdren.
How Do We Create a "Fah. Nay" Shfiati]on?
Television advertising directed at children is
Workshop 3 discussed television advertising di-
contributing to create conditions for a free
rected at children and how to create a "fair play"
situation between industry, advertisers and TV and independent broadcasting industry.
companies on the one hand, and children on the
The main arguments provided by those opposing
other. This report summarizes in broad outline
television advertising directed at children were as
the most essential issues and arguments in the
follows:
very intense, informative and multi-faceted discus-
sion.
Children cannot distinguish adverts from
Two rather clean-cut approaches to the issue
editorial programmes, and they have not de-
could be found in the discussion. On the one side
veloped the ability to understand the purpose
there were those defending the right to direct
of advertising.
advertising at children in television. At the same
Children are not critical. They cannot be and
time there were those questioning the ethics in
they should not be. Childhood is the period
targeting advertising in television at small child-
in life where you have to take in all impres-
ren, a group which was in favour of stricter rules.
sions, and believe everything you see and hear
The main arguments provided by those in fa-
in order to learn and grow. This indispensable
vour of television advertising directed at children
credulity should not be exploited.
were as follows:
Self-regulation has showed to be an insuffi-
Self-regulation is effective. The industry is
cient means to protect children from televi-
taking sufficient responsibility for children in
sion advertising and more restrictive legisla-
advertising through the current self-regula-
tion is therefore needed.
tion and the existing codes of conduct.
The commercial pressure on children has
The broadcasters are depending on the in-
increased over the years. There is a need for a
come from children's advertising in order to
reduction of this pressure and for the estab-
produce programmes for children. Without
lishment of areas for children which are free
this advertising there wouldn't be any quality
from advertisements.
programmes for children.
There is no obvious link between children's
Children are not naive and gullible. Advertis-
advertising and production of quality child-
ing is a part of life and children have to learn
ren's programmes. The first is not a guarantee
to deal with it. They cannot be kept "co-
for the latter.
commer-
cooned" from the outside world
cial messages being a part of this.
Children have a right to quality programmes.
Advertising directed at children cannot be
Advertising is good for children. It gives them
laid down as a condition for bringing this
advantages and brings them information and
about. This is a matter of political will.
education on how the world operates.
During the debate different research studies where
The consequences of a ban on television ad-
presented in order to support a certain statement.
vertising aimed at children would be less
It was stated, however, that many studies seem to
choice, less innovation and higher prices.
7
6
no, 1
Nounfrom ICCVOS, vat 5, 2001,
support the view of the institutions funding the
The age limits that apply in respect of televi-
research. The need for more impartial and scien-
sion, and whether differences exist between
television and other media
tific research was emphasized.
The Commission informed the workshop of
The existence and handling of any complaints
the study on advertising in television that was
and the systems that exist for their resolution
launched in January 2000 and that will soon be
The study will amongst other reports, of which
completed. It will be published on the Commis-
one is dealing with new interactive forms of adver-
sions website together with a communication.'
tising, serve as a basis for the forthcoming review
The study will present a complete picture of the
of the "Television without Frontiers" directive in
rules in the different Member States, in particular
2002.
those rules that are further reaching than those of
It was also informed that the responsible Com-
the Television without Frontiers Directive.
missioner has stated, that if a ban on television
The consultant has been asked to prepare the
advertising directed at children is to be considered
study with reference to the following key issues:
Notes
at community level, very strong evidence for such
1. The "Study on the Impact of
The underlying principles that apply to na-
Advertising and Teleshopping on
a need would be required.2
Minors" realised by INRA/
tional legislation on television advertising and
Even though many different opinions where
Bird&Bird for the European
teleshopping
Commission is available on http:/
expressed within the workshop there was a con-
/europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/
sensus on the principle that children need to be
Whether there are any differences in treat-
whatsnew_en.htm Go to April
20
given special attention when it comes to advertis-
ment between different media (for example
2. For more information, see
ing. E
between free-to-air and pay TV, or between
below under the heading "EU
Ban on Advertising Unlikely".
television and the press)
EU Ban on Advertising Unlikely
ing from other Commission statements such an
approach may well characterize future EU regula-
At present, an EU-wide ban on advertising direc-
tion more generally. In future, the present TV
ted at children appears most unlikely. Views on
now under review
is likely to be
directive
the issue vary considerably between the Member
transformed into a wider "content" directive. The
States, as was evident at the above-mentioned
results of the Commission's study on minors and
seminar on "Children and Young People in the
TV advertising and teleshopping is also likely to
New Media Landscape" in Stockholm in February
affect future regulation.'
2001. Nor would it be easy to change the rules on
advertising in the EU Television Directive, warned
by Anna Celsing, Free-lance Journalist, Belgium
Mr Jean-Eric de Cockborne from the European
Commission Education and Culture Directorate
Note
at the seminar. The burden of proof lies with
I.
The "Study on the Impact of Advertising and
Teleshopping on Minors" realised by INRA/Bird&Bird for
those advocating further regulation, he pointed
the European Commission is available on http://
out.
europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/whatsnew_en.htm
To justify a ban it must be demonstrated that:
Go to April 20
a) such a measure is indispensable, b) would be
proportionate to the objective to be achieved, c)
Protection of Minors: Same Rules
would not discriminate against television as com-
pared to other media and d) would not contradict
for All Media?
other policy objectives, such as the funding of
European children's programming, often financed
In 1998, the European Council of Ministers
by advertising.
adopted a Recommendation on the protection of
The European Commission does not call into
minors and human dignity.
question the need for measures to protect child-
After two years the results of the application
ren.
of the Recommendation are encouraging, al-
But the means we use to achieve these goals
though interested parties and in particular con-
may have to be adapted in the light of technologi-
sumers should have been more involved in the
cal and market developments. New instruments,
establishment of codes of conduct, writes the Eu-
such as self-regulation, must be considered, where
ropean Commission in its evaluation report (see:
appropriate on the basis of guidelines laid down
europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/whatsnew_en.htm
by public authorities, said Mr de Cockborne.
Go to February 27).
Also, rules on advertising should not apply to
The report shows that the Recommendation
television alone but to other media as well. Judg-
has not been applied uniformly across the Euro-
7
Non n from ICCVOS, vo1 5, 2001. no. 1
8
I
of such an approach it points to the recent British
pean Union. However, most Member States have
launched campaigns for safer use of the Internet Communications White Paper, and the establish-
ment of the Dutch Institute for Classification of
and some have introduced new legislation or sup-
Audiovisual Media (NICAM) which will provide a
ported measures such as the establishment of
uniform system of classification for all audio-
hotlines. Several also stress that cooperation on a
visual media and descriptive consumer informa-
European level is not sufficient, calling for global
tion about computer games, films, TV pro-
efforts and the establishment of world-wide mini-
grammes, etc.'
mum standards.
In its conclusion, the Commission argues that
Such approaches may constitute an orienta-
tion for further implementation of the Recoin-
the protcction of minors should cover all media,
mendation, hints the European Commission.
be it Internet, broadcasting, videogames or sup-
ports like video cassettes and DVDs.
Renewed efforts need to be made to ensure a
by Anna Celsing, Free-lance Journalist, Belgium
coherent approach, in particular as convergence
Note
will continue to increase.
The Commission seems to be a firm believer in
I. For more details about NICAM, see the article written by
No. 2, 2000, P. 20.
Peter Nikken in
News from ICCVOS,
industry self-regulation, sometimes in the form of
"co-regulation" with the state. As good examples
Forums11 SummKg Movements
[Innocence
111) Danger:
CiMzens to Protect CIAIldren Onine
by
that child psychologists and psychiatrists assist at
The World Citizen's Movement to Protect Innocence
CHOY ARNALDO
in Danger has now become an independent non-
the juridical testimony of children to interpret
Information officer
governmental organisation under the presidency
their silence, their unspoken words; we demand a
Innocence in Danger
of Mme Homayra Sellier; its statutes are formal-
more speedy return of justice for the children."
Paris
ised according to the French law of 1901. This
Just prior to this, Innocence in Danger partici-
France
Mobile: [phone]
status has propelled the movement to take its
pated in the Internet celebration of Chambéry.
E-mail:
place alongside other national and international
Homayra Sellier, Choy Arnaldo, Christine Leroy
[email protected]
partners working to protect children from sexual and Vivian Medina met with parents and teachers
abuse, particularly through the 'traps' and misuse
to discuss the undesirable content and snares in
of the Internet.
the chat rooms children may come across on the
The White March in Paris on 2 March 2001
Internet. The Innocence in Danger team also
taught children how to find and use educational
provided a major event to put this synergy to
work. Innocence in Danger joined fifty other child
and creative sites.
protection groups from Belgium, England, France,
Last winter, Innocence in Danger was also in-
volved in other activities to draw attention to the
Italy and Switzerland walking in silence through
the city to the French Ministry of Justice. movement and the importance of protecting chil-
dren's rights. Among these is a poster campaign in
Speaking on behalf of Innocence in Danger,
Virginie de la Croix highlighted the key points at
the Paris metro stations, as well as the organising
issue: "We demand that the testimony of children and hosting of a charity concert.
be taken into account, and that these words be
The Movement's website is now operational, in
English and French, on
given juridical significance, otherwise children's
http://www.InnocenceInDanger.com or
testimony is effectively censored; we demand that
http://www.InnocenceEnDanger.com 0
judges and magistrates be trained to listen to
children and accept their testimony; we demand
9
5. 2001, no. 1
8
News from ICCVOS,
Second International Forum for
on Media for Children in Greece in March, 2001,
and was shared with governments at the Fifth
Child and Media Research
Ministerial Consultation in Beijing in May, 2001.
The action points are practical ideas for TV news
The Second International Forum of Children and
and children's programmes recommended as start-
Media Researchers, "Young People and the Media
ing points to better serve the interests of children
Tomorrow. Issues and Outlook", took place in
in local and national television markets. The Dec-
November 26-29, 2000, Sydney, Australia. It was
laration as well as the action blueprint can be
hosted by the Australian National Commission for
found on the UNICEF web site, see address be-
UNESCO with organisational support from the
low. Forum participants also pledged to support
Australian Broadcasting Authority. The event was
the coming UN Special Session on Children with
chaired by Gareth Grainger and had been planned
widespread coverage of its aims and goals.
in consultation with the international scientific
committee established at the first international re-
Source
search forum in Paris, 1997. This Second Forum
hup://www.uniceforg/broadcast/tvforum/index.html
promoted discussions on a diversity of research
and policy issues in all areas of the media, includ-
ing television, print, radio and the Internet. It also
3rd World Summit on Media for
provided an occasion for dialogue and interaction
Children
between members of the research community and
representatives of research user groups, such as
The 3rd World Summit on Media for Children
regulators, producers and educators.
took off during 23-26 March 2001 in Thessa-
The Forum was attended by some 300 partici-
loniki, Greece. It was chaired by Athina Rikaki
pants. Papers and posters focused on the main
and produced by the European Children's Televi-
themes given in advance: youth production and
sion Centre (E.C.T.C.) under the auspices of the
consumption of media; globalisation and
President of the Hellenic Republic, the Ecumeni-
socialisation; policy and regulation of media for
cal Patriarchate of Constantinople, UNESCO and
young people; and, interwoven with the these
UNICEF. Many institutions supported the Sum-
themes, approaches to research methodologies.
mit, which was supervised by the Hellenic Audio-
The abstracts and/or papers of the speeches are
visual Institute (I.O.M.) and organised by Chil-
available on the web site of the Forum: http://
dren's Media Development (CMD).
www.sydneyforum.com
The Summit aimed at enhancing media quality
A parallel Asia-Pacific Youth and the Media
and media awareness world-wide and at demon-
Conference included an exhibition of media pro-
strating the emerging relation between television,
duction by young people as well as presentations
radio and the new media. The ca. 850 participants
and discussion on media-related issues.
from some 80 countries were above all media pro-
Discussions have begun on how to realise a
fessionals from the public and private spheres, but
third research Forum.
also many researchers, media educators, politi-
as well as children
cians, voluntary organisations
Asia-Pacific Television Forum on
themselves.
After the opening including Greek shadow
Children and Youth
theatre, songs, music and dance by and for chil-
dren, an award ceremony for best children's videos
At the Asia-Pacific Television Forum on Children
in the Kids for Kids Festival, and much more, the
and Youth in Seoul, South Korea, 4-7 February
work of the Summit began. There were four main
2001, over 120 high-level television professionals
themes with plenary sessions and workshops:
gathered to discuss the media's critical role in pro-
"Going Global," treating positive and negative
moting and protecting the rights of children. Rep-
aspects of globalisation, especially considering
resentatives of public and private companies, satel-
children's media situation; "Media for All," explor-
lite and cable networks, and regional television
ing the needs, initiatives and ideas guaranteeing
associations presented and discussed innovative
every child's right to quality media; "New Tech-
programming ideas and advocacy campaigns. The
nologies," presenting the latest developments as
emphasis was on producing high-quality television
well as ways of empowering children through the
programmes for children, ensuring that children's
new media; and "Children Have a Say," where
concerns are given the attention they deserve, and
scholars shared their knowledge of topical media
making sure that children's "voices" are heard on
research and media literacy, and discussed the
television. The Forum was the first follow-up
latest policy trends supporting children's rights.
meeting in the region to the Asian Summit on
The Summit also comprised, i.a., a technology
Child Rights and the Media held in Manila in
playground, virtual world sessions where children
1996.
not at the Summit participated, children's events,
An official declaration was adopted at the Fo-
sessions on cinema and on animation, screenings,
rum and an action blueprint developed. The Dec-
and an exhibition hall with booths where profes-
laration was presented to the 3r1 World Summit
9
Alms from ICCVOS, val 5, 2001, no. I