Bangladesh

Bangladeshi TV’s account of a real-life hero is nominated for international award

© UNICEF/2004

Young reporter from the Bangladeshi Young TV programme Amrao Korbo Joy

DHAKA/NEW YORK, 15 November 2004 – In 1996, nine-year-old Abul Khair averted a train accident in Bangladesh, saving the lives of hundreds of people. He warned the driver of the train about a dislocated rail track, by waving a red piece of cloth tied to a stick. Abdul’s actions were depicted in a 25-minute documentary made for the 2003 International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB).
 
The documentary – Amrao Pari (‘We can be”) – was produced by the weekly 25-minute Bangladeshi TV programme Aamra Korbo Joy  ("We shall overcome”).  Aamra Korbo Joy is created and produced entirely by a group of 16 teenagers who participate in all stages of the process, from conceptualization to scripting, production and filming.

Launched in May 2003, Aamra Korbo Joy is broadcast on a private satellite channel at 6:25 p.m. every Friday. So far, 50 episodes have been produced. 

The weekly programme is divided into 2 parts: child-related news and field reporting on current issues. Some of the topics the show has addressed include: child beggars; education for children of prostitutes; early marriage and its effects; problems girls face while travelling by public transport; and domestic child labour.

During the production of Amrao Pari, the young reporters discovered that the hero Abdul had been forced to stop his studies due to a shortage of money. After the documentary was broadcast, a local non-governmental organization began sponsoring Abul’s educational expenses.

The Amrao Pari documentary has been nominated for the 2004 International Children's Day of Broadcasting award that recognizes outstanding broadcasting presentation in connection with the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.