MTV is planning to broadcast Bermuda's first Run For Freedom — creating potentially hundreds of millions of viewers for the historic event.

A boss at the global entertainment network told The Royal Gazette it hopes to film the run — designed to raise awareness about modern day slavery — as part of its campaign against human trafficking.

MTV Europe executive director Tom Ehr said he hoped a slot could be found on the company's Europe-wide news section, which hits about 180 million homes with 360 million potential viewers.

It comes after run organiser Charlotte Wilberforce, a great-great-great granddaughter of slave emancipator William Wilberforce, got in touch with Mr. Ehr.

MTV hopes to link its coverage of Bermuda's Run For Freedom with a simultaneous run in London, also organised by Ms Wilberforce.

"We hope to get a news team to cover things at both ends of the run," said Mr. Ehr. "I'm hoping to support it in whatever way we can. It's right up our alley. I had met Charlotte's sister, who is a photographer and was doing something around the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. Then I spoke to Charlotte and it sounded like something we would like to cover.

"If we get a piece on MTV's Europe-wide news, that's potentially 180 million households and you can double that for the potential viewers. I don't want to guarantee it's going to happen, but it's what I would like to happen. I'm sure we can do things on-line in the run-up to the event as well."

The three or four mile run takes place in or around Hamilton on March 23, the nearest Sunday to March 25, the anniversary of William Wilberforce's 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which paved the way for the end of slavery in Bermuda 27 years later.

It intends to put pressure on global leaders to end the captivity of more than 12 million men, women and children across the world, while raising cash for anti-slavery coalition Stop The Traffik.

Ms Wilberforce set up a Run For Freedom in London in March this year to mark the bicentenary of her ancestor's law. She launched a plan for a similar project on the Island after arriving in Pembroke for work reasons.

Mr. Ehr said a three or four team crew would probably spend a day or so filming, with footage likely to be aired the day afterwards.

He said MTV's anti-trafficking campaign aims to increase prevention of the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation in Europe.

"Our campaign is mainly directed at young people who are often the targets of traffickers," said Mr. Ehr. "That's what we are about: trying to raise awareness and making sure young people know what is happening.

"Our focus is mainly sex trafficking in Europe. We direct a lot of stuff at young people in the former Soviet Union. We want to provide them with information and encourage young people to watch out for each other as well. We also want to get the message across to young men who may be thinking of paying for sex."

Ms Wilberforce yesterday explained that she had learned about MTV's campaign, Exit, while at a Stop The Traffik concert earlier this year.

"Their approach and thought that goes into their research and help for others was quite commendable," said Ms Wilberforce. "I think that because they genuinely care, to come on board with Bermuda proves that our voices can be heard accross the globe.

"I am thrilled that they have agreed to be involved and again with many community members and organisations being involved in Bermuda the sense of unity is very strong."

The Royal Gazette has been marking the Slave Trade Act's bicentenary with its Break The Chains campaign, which calls for governments across the world to stamp out modern day slavery.

We are urging readers to sign Anti-Slavery International's on-line petition on the subject. So far, more than 36,700 have put their names to the list. To sign it, visit www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details.

For more details about Break The Chains or the Run For Freedom, e-mail tsmith@royalgazette.bm