The Channel | 2004 | September

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The One World Media Awards recognise the achievements of
media professionals in furthering our appreciation of international
affairs. In particular, the awards honour those who have highlighted
issues of global justice,social and economic development and human
rights – and who have done this in an engaging and challenging
way. The 12 award categories cover television, radio, new media
and print journalism.
The One World Broadcasting Trust was established in 1987 by
broadcasters from Britain’s commercial TV network, ITV, and the
BBC. It aims to promote a clear and balanced awareness of human
rights and global development issues – from poverty and debt to
education and good governance. Moreover, it seeks to show that
there is a clear inter-relationship between developing countries and
their more developed counterparts. By a range of key partnership
activities, the One World Broadcasting Trust encourages a
responsible and lucid coverage of the developing world.
Radio Canal Revelation would gratefully welcome any
donations. Please contact One World Media Awards: tel +44
(0) 20 7874 7609 or email:
“I never again want to see the
slaughter, massacres, looting and
rape which took place in Bunia and
Ituri. The town seemed to be
drowning in blood and the station’s
gate was pock-marked by bullets.”
Far left Richard Pituwa on the air at Radio Canal Revelation Left It’s
all worthwhile as a young Congolese boy listens to a radio with a
makeshift sound system in Bunia Below left British TV news presenter
Jon Snow with Pituwa at the One World Media Awards in London
that area and perhaps influence them to put down their
arms,” insists Pituwa.
Since the UN peacekeeping mission entered Ituri province in
April 2003, the people who fled the region are slowly returning
to their homes and agriculture and cattle-farming are
beginning to thrive again in some areas. “RCR is ready to
help the people – especially the youth - get their lives back
to normal and concentrate on their future. Some schools have
reopened, but many youth can’t afford to go back or feel too
old. Some have even started, perhaps accidentally, families
of their own. The hardest challenge will be helping the youth
soldiers leave the militias during the ongoing disarmament
and help them adjust to normal life,” says Pituwa. However,
peace is by no means secured. The staff still sleep in the
studio rather than leave the building at night.
Pituwa flew to London in June 2004 to collect the Special
Award at the One World Media Awards. “The civil war in DR
Congo was not widely covered by the international media –
even though millions of our people died. By receiving the
award, I was able to return to Bunia and let the population
know that people were thinking about us in the West. It was
a huge honour for all the young people running the station.”
At Radio Canal Revelation, international recognition has
arrived, amidst the hope of a lasting peace.
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