The Young People in the Media (YPM) on Sunday held an inter-generational dialogue forum as part of events marking the International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) at the Unique FM Radio Station along Garba Jahumpa Road in Bakau.

Nearly 200 children from different schools and youth organisations participated in the forum. The International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) is the day when broadcasters air quality programming for and about children. The day also gives children the opportunity to be part of the programming and production process of the media, to talk about their hopes, dreams, fears and challenges in life. Television and radio play a vital role in raising awareness of children’s rights issues and a critical role in shaping children's lives.

The forum brought together parents, stakeholders, civil society, media practitioners and young people themselves to brainstorm on the theme of this year’s ICDB celebration: "All Children All Rights".

Speaking at the forum, Fanta Sidibeh, the youth coordinator of YPM, said the media have an essential function in promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of the child. She added that the media in many countries have already contributed greatly in creating awareness on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its contents. The YPM youth coordinator noted that it is important that the media make a lot of effort in promoting the principles and the standards of the CRC. According to her, the media can also play an important role in monitoring the actual implementation of children's rights.

Sidibeh emphasised the need for the integrity of the child to be protected in reporting, adding that the media in some countries have voluntarily agreed to respect the guidelines which was meant to observe the need to protect the rights of the child. For her part, Isatou Jammeh, deputising the director of Social Welfare said the day is very important for  children all over the world. She added that it would help the children and young people to come together and to reflect on the importance of the rights of the children. She disclosed that the government and its partners are committed in their tireless efforts in promoting the rights and welfare and the development of the children of The Gambia.

Jammeh advised the children to utilise the forum in order to address the challenges and chart the way forward for their future. Victor George, deputizing the proprietor of Unique FM, Lamin Manga, said that the day is very important to them as broadcasters. According to him, it is a day their doors are always open to young broadcasters, potential journalists and media practitioners; and other children to explore their talents. The forum was characterised by a question and answer session from the school children, while the YPM drama group entertained the audience. Other speakers included Oumie Taal, Njundu Drammeh of CPA, Ousman Conteh, Haddijatou Fofana, Bintou Sonko and Alieu Bah.