Asia's alternative television

Asia's alternative television: "An Asian broadcasting network run by young professionals focuses on social and environmental issues

To a first-time visitor it might look like a journalism school or a college campus. Walking along the corridors of Young Asia Television Network’s (YATV) headquarters in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, one can find youngsters in casual clothes occupying newsrooms and studios.

In Asia’s vast and expansive electronic media world, YATV may sound like one more television company trying to be successful with entertainment-only programmes. Not so. The network’s young crew is putting together entertainment programmes based on Asian cultural and social values, environment and sustainable development.

“YATV is a network for Asian youth. Our motto is ‘infotainment and edutainment’. It is a combination of education and information with a lot of entertainment,” says Hilmy Ahamed, managing director of YATV network."