The media
shape the way we see the world –
and are, therefore, in a frontline position
to change attitudes to violence against
children. Journalists, photographers,
editors and programme makers act as the
eyes, ears and voices of the public, and
have a primary responsibility to draw
attention to abuses of power and human
rights. Through their work, they can encourage
governments, the public and civil society
to effect changes. They are uniquely placed
to help people understand how to stop
violence against children.
Reporting has to be ethical.
Studies on the way the media report show
that too often the focus is on horrific,
one-off cases; that journalists too easily
sensationalize; and that the tendency
to exploit stories, rather than explain
them, lets society ignore its responsibility
in the case.
UNICEF’s handbook
on The Media and Children’s Rights
was produced to help media professionals
working on stories about children to do
so responsibly, protecting the child and
pointing the finger at the relevant adults
who failed in their obligations towards
the child.
Organizations, such as
the International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ), recognize journalists’ responsibility
not only to report fairly and accurately,
but also to reflect children’s own
opinions. Respect for child rights is
part of the IFJ’s professional code
of ethics. It has also drawn up international
guidelines on the subject to help media
professionals (Putting Children in the
Right).
What can journalists
do?
• Generate debate
on the issue of violence against children
in our region by appropriate coverage
of the issue.
• Respect children’s privacy
and protect their identity in such cases.
• Give children access to media
to express their own opinions.
• Solicit the views of children
with due respect for identity protection.
• Ensure effective investigative
reporting is not compromised by protecting
sources.
• Challenge governments on the implementation
of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
• Combat child abuse by ‘de-sexualizing’
the language used, and pointing out those
being exploited are children.
• Work together with NGOs or people
that the kids trust when gathering material.
• Encourage projects that involve
kids – such as Children’s
Express news agency in the United Kingdom
– and use material prepared by them.
• Make an effort to tackle issues
from the point of view of the child –
for instance interviewing street kids
about how they see their world.
What should journalists
avoid?
• Sexual, violent
or victim-focused journalism potentially
damaging to children.
• Stereotyping and sensationalizing
material.
• Reinforcing prejudices and preconceived
ideas that contribute to tolerance of
violence against children.
• Fostering an image of adolescents
or younger children as sexually mature.
• Portraying children as ‘villains’
(in reports about street crime, for example).
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