Television and radio play a vital role in raising awareness of global issues. They also play a tremendous and very critical role in shaping the worldview of people. A global media campaign such as UNICEF’s International Children’s Day of Broadcasting highlights the efforts of media practitioners worldwide in promoting children’s right and encouraging their full participation in the process of shaping their own lives.


After months of marathon preparation, the day was finally celebrated last sunday, 9th December 2007. Accordingly, this day is set aside to give children the opportunity to showcase their potentials. This year’s theme: “The world we want”, is, in effect, committing the leaders to make an informed choice for the next generation of world leaders.

Indeed, the performance of our youngsters last Sunday was quite mesmerising. Some of them did so well that one is tempted to think that they had been on the trade since the inception of Television. In speaking their minds, these children gave broadcasters and decision makers the opportunity to see what they had to say about their lives.

Through their words and actions, they expressed their views on the kind of world they want to live in. The encounter with the Gamban leader, Alhaji Dr President Jammeh gave an even more reinforced picture of the philosophical thinking of the young generation.

The advent of GRTS in the Gambia, with the incorporation of the television component, has undoubtedly aided the revolutionisation of the way of life of Gambians, and children have not been left out. For this we have to thank President Jammeh, SoS Macdougal who happens to be a pioneer Gambian broadcaster, and the management of GRTS led by Alhaji Momodou Sanyang.

The last two years have been enviable for the national broadcaster, being one of the youngest, if not the youngest, in the sub-region, thanks to its children’s programs. We therefore have no doubt that given their track record, their subsequent programs will feature issues that will revolve around what the children have highlighted during the whole of this year’s celebration.