Rio, April 20, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Unesco representative in Brazil, Jorge Werthen, called today for greater participation by youth in the definition of programs transmitted over the media and directed at young audiences. According to him, this would lead to a reduction in the violence of television and radio programs and movie productions and would permit a real socialization of knowledge and an increase in the self-esteem of children and adolescents.

For Werthen, the excessive use of images of violence on Brazilian TV encourages violence among young people. "It is important for the media to be able to supervise and adopt a critical perspective, [with regard], for example, to a fundamental problem in Brazil, the excessive and unacceptable bearing of firearms, which, regrettably, cause a quantity of murders, basically affecting young people between 15 and 24 years old, that is nearly a world record by international standards," he said.

The Unesco representative in Brazil is participating in the Fourth World Media Summit for children and adolescents. Over 2 thousand people from various countries are attending the event, which runs through Friday (23).

Translator: David Silberstein