Schools cited for promoting youth rights through radio program

MANILA, March 4, 2011—Six Manila universities and some of their students were cited for their contribution in developing a radio program for the “promotion of youth rights.”

Veritas 846 Campus Hour, produced alternately by six universities in the National Capital Region and jointly sponsored by Radio Veritas and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, provided a venue to students of Mass Communications to hone their skills and contribute in the discussion of vital issues that affect society, especially the youth.

Awarded were Ama University for Best Promotional Campaign; Philippine Women’s University for Best Program Theme Song; Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for Best Production Team; Far Eastern University for Best Program Episode (“Ang Epekto ng Social Networking Sites sa mga Kabataan at sa Relasyon nila sa Kanilang Pamilya”, aired on Sept. 11, 2010); Philippine Women’s University for Best Program Segment (“Paskong Pinoy”, Drama Series); Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for Best Program Format; Universidad de Manila for Audience Choice Award; Ms. Margaret H. Don (UDM) for Best Female Anchor; Mr. Marc Andrew M. Maranan (PUP) for Best Male Anchor; and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for Best Campus Hour School.

The event was held last February 24 at the Benitez Hall of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) in Manila.

Fr. Anton Pascual, president of Radio Veritas, and Ms. Ruth Emerink, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, enlivened the occasion with their inspirational messages.

Bro. Clifford Sorita, project director of Campus Hour, in a statement said “placing the freedom of expression as one of the most fundamental human right in the forefront of this project’s undertaking means providing the students (under this project) the necessary radio broadcast facilities as a medium of articulating their views and opinions in the promotion of their rights as students and as young citizens.”

He lauded the joint assistance of Radio Veritas and Netherlands Embassy in providing students a “laboratory for learning to hone their skills and potentials as future Mass Communication Practitioners done side-by-side in the Promotion of Youth Rights.”

“The sustainability of such a project can be further achieved by making sure that this institutional partnership of promoting Truth and Human Rights in various universities is maintained,” he furthered.

The program’s first season was aired every Saturday from August 2010 to January 2011 at 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Participating schools conceptualized and managed the production of a month’s program covering at least four episodes. (CBCPNews)