Specialized Youth Media: A Tool for Social Change

This presentation by Hania Bitar given at the Rio de Janeiro at the World Summit on Media for Children & Adolescents (WSMCA) explored the role of media in society from the perspective of youth in Palestine.

Bitar poses a series of questions, including the role that media plays in a time of conflict. As a general overview she describes Palestinian National TV (Palestine TV) as having these characteristics: highly politicised; not tentative to young audience’s needs; lacking a comprehensive strategy or mission; and "most Popular in Gaza Strip."

She continues her speech by describing the Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA), a communication and media-oriented Palestinian NGO established for Palestinian youth. Their website describes PYALARA as "both light and serious, conscious and daring." She states, "in Order to serve YOUNG PEOPLE, we have to see them as PROVIDERS of services, rather than consumers of services..." She suggests that young people can become "providers" of services if these steps are taken: "build trained cadres of youth, create role-models; allocate tasks and responsibilities; and allow enough space for creativity." In serving this goal, relationships between NGO's and the government sector need to strive to "coordinate, support, compliment and strategize together..."