Setting standards for media coverage of children’s issues

January 23, 2014 08:32 am | Updated May 13, 2016 11:40 am IST - CHENNAI:

What should a journalist do when reporting on a child identified as a victim of sexual abuse or exploitation or HIV positive/living with AIDS or charged/convicted of a crime? Always change the name and obscure the visual identity of the child.

Experts say that often, many journalists were unaware of legalities involved when reporting on issues concerning children and end up violating the children’s rights and privacy. It is for this that the Press Institute of India and UNICEF have come together with a handbook on child rights for journalists.

Highlighting the role of media in protection and promotion of children’s rights during the launch on Wednesday, Caroline Den Dulk, chief, Advocacy Communication, UNICEF India, said, “The media should ensure that the rights of children including their right to expression and opinions are protected. Their right to privacy and identity should be respected,” she stressed.

N. Murali, member-Board of Trustees, Press Institute of India, said the handbook would be useful for not only those in reporting but also for the news desk.

“The media plays a crucial and influential role in protecting and safeguarding child rights. It is only in the last few years that the awareness levels of child rights – on what happens to children including child abuse, their educational and special needs – have risen,” he said.

“For long, the media has avoided child rights and child abuse due to the legal aspects attached to it. Ignoring an issue is not the true hallmark of journalism. Responsible media will always take up such subjects with great expertise, sensitivity and highest standard of ethical values,” he added.

Pamela Philipose, director and editor-in-chief, Women Feature Service, said there was no dedicated beat for children and reporters assigned for the education and development beat covered these issues.

Satish Kumar, chief of UNICEF State Office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala, said the handbook offered guidelines for interviewing and reporting on children based on their needs at different ages.

It consists of details on the instruments and standards for protection of child rights, legal provisions for media coverage and principles of reporting on children. Sashi Nair, director, Press Institute of India, was present.

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