Less than two months to go before deadline for accepting submissions

Amman, 6 June 2011 – UNICEF’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa announced today 20 July 2011 as the deadline for receiving submissions to its Regional Award for Media on Child Rights.

Focusing this year on violence against children, the award calls for submissions from journalists from all Middle East and North Africa countries in the following categories: television, radio, print, photograph, online and caricature.

“At a time when the Middle East and North Africa region is going through such turmoil, the issue of violence against children and how to address it cannot be timelier,” said Charbel Raji, UNICEF Regional Communication Specialist for the Middle East and North Africa. “We look forward to engaging with members of the media, seasoned ones as well as the beginners, on how to help make the region safer for children.”

Only works published or aired between 20 August 2010 and 20 July 2011 will be considered.

Marking its fourth edition this year, the UNICEF regional media award attracts broad participation from across the region. Previous winners have included eminent journalists from Egypt, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The award also encourages participation from adolescents and young people. A youth award is given every year to the best contribution from a young participant.