Children speak out through media

With the aim of involving children in the development process and promoting their rights, Plan first began to implement child media programmes in the mid-1990s. These enable children to become participants in development projects.

Victor Brott

'Media programmes in the developing world provide children with a platform to express themselves. They support young people in taking concrete actions to improve their lives and the lives of other children in their country. The programmes help provide positive role models for both children and adults. They assist young people in developing a relevant range of non-technical vocational skills such as communication skills, team work, creativity, confidence and powers of self-expression - skills that have relevance in whatever field of work they will eventually find themselves.

The media projects aim to contribute to changing mentalities and behaviour, and the image of children in their community. Children's voices are and will be heard not only 'on air' but also in the decision-making process. Information and participation will in the long run empower children, prevent exploitation and help them become active members of society.'

Mimi Brazeau - Plan West Africa

Speaking out through video

Shonu Chandra

Video film can be one of the most powerful ways of speaking out on any circumstances. For children and young people working to change their environment and challenge behaviour and practices that threaten their development, it can represent a powerful means of visualising specific issues. Film, too, can be shown repeatedly, reaching different audiences with vital messages.

‘Children have something to say’ is an initiative run by Plan India as part of our worldwide commitment to ensuring children’s voices are heard. To date 36 short films have been produced entirely by children - from identifying and researching the issues, writing scripts, directing, operating the camera, sound and reporting. The films campaign on some of the issues these young people, aged between 13 and 17, believe need changing in their communities, from child labour to child marriage and child prostitution, from rag pickers to addiction.

Download the video about street children - you would need Windows Media Player to watch the video, download it for free  

More about the 'Children have something to say' initiative

Speaking out through radio

Radio is by far the most popular medium through which children and young people get their messages across. In many areas, it is the only form of mass media and children participating in Plan's media programmes across the world have emabraced its power to reach out to whole communities and demand change.

A children's radio programme in Sierra Leone is not only a way of reaching young people, who provide the content and an audience for the radio station, but also of restoring pride, "my child is on the radio today", and raising the status of children in the community.

Speaking out through print

The most traditional of child media projects are those involving the written word. Encouraging children to share experiences, address issues and build relationships through newsletter and magazines not only develops their skills as writers and communicators, but also increases their knowledge of children's rights.

Speaking out through new technology

Media projects using the internet have recently been introduced. These projects to date have primarily aimed to link groups of children in different countries, enabling them to share experiences and gain deeper understanding of each other's lives and the issues that affect them.

A group of teenagers from North London and Asesewa, Ghana, are learning about each other through an internet diary.

More about the 'web diary project'