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| Wednesday, 25 August 2004 |
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Reporting on child abuse some ethical guidelines by Chandani Jayatilleke
Is it ethical for the media to reveal every detail relating to a child who had been subjected to abuse, be it sexual or physical harassment? This issue was widely discussed at a recent workshop on Ethical Reporting of Issues Relating to Children for the Media in Colombo. It was organised by Unicef, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Child Protection Authority. Media's role in reporting child abuse cases has changed dramatically over the last decade, mainly owing to two reasons - more awareness among the public about child abuse (which is a good thing) and the competition created among the media institutions for producing and presenting scoops. Media Every media institution, be it electronic or print, tries to give something 'sensational' to its readers or to the viewers over the other institution. In reporting issues relating to children, this can be an alarming situation. The critical issue here is to raise awareness among journalists, thereby create awareness among the people. But journalists must also understand the consequences of their reporting of children's issue. The way media portray children will impact not only on society's attitude to children, it also influences the way adults behave. Journalists and the public must understand, sensational coverage of abuse and exploitation of children does not tell the full story and by exploiting a serious problem, can do more harm than good, according to IFJ. Sensational reports While sensational reports could attract more readers or viewers, journalist must ask themselves, do they provide useful information and analysis in a way that can contribute to improving the situation for children. Children and young people have all the rights of adults. But in reality children lack the power to secure these rights on their own and so they must rely on adults to deliver them. Now it is clear that, there is a need for journalists to have guidelines to report on children's issues, mainly because journalists work autonomously. They also need guidelines to avoid pressure or influence from outside news organisations and also from within one's own media organisation and to help solve ethical problems and dilemmas. Guidelines would give journalists a basis for challenging improper use of that material or distortions added during the editing process and help those who direct the work of other journalists. Guidelines can educate members of the public about how journalists approach their work and allow journalists to defend their decision in public. Precise protocols Children on the other hand require precise protocols if their human rights are to be protected. These guidelines will help children to see that journalists do take their issues and views seriously and ensure that all those who work in the media are serious about safeguarding their rights. The IFJ has outlined several guidelines to ensure fair and ethical reporting. They are: Strive for standards of excellence in terms of accuracy and sensitivity when reporting on issues involving children. Avoid programming and publication of images which intrude upon the media space of children with information which is damaging to them. Avoid the use of stereotypes and sensational presentation to promote journalistic material involving children. Consider carefully the consequences of publication of any material concerning children and minimise harm to children. Public interest Guard against visually or otherwise identifying children unless it is demonstrably in the public interest. Give children, where possible, the right of access to media to express their own opinions without inducement of any kind. Ensure independent verification of information provided by children and take special care to ensure that verification takes place without putting child informants at risk. Sexualized images Avoid the use of sexualized images of children. Use fair, open and straight forward methods for obtaining pictures and, where possible, obtain them with the knowledge and consent of children or a responsible adult, guardian or carer. Verify credentials of any organisation purporting to speak for or to represent the interests of children, and Not make payment to children for material involving the welfare of children or to parents or guardians of children unless it is demonstrably in the interest of the child. According to IFJ, in exposing and highlighting abuse, the media play a crucial role in exploring how exploitation of children can be stopped. The media have the task of bringing these abuses to the attention of politicians and the public and of giving unheard children a voice. Reporting on children also needs consistent follow up over time, so that instead of creating a single splash, the media can create a current of informed opinion that will lead to a change. According to the discussion at the workshop, certain reports on child abuse cases could lead to further abuse of the children. Therefore, it is important that media organisations nurture a culture which will allow journalists to report with a responsibility and without harming the child's identity which could lead to a complex of issues. Then what about the readers? Will they accept this situation? Positive thinking Again, media can create a positive thinking attitude in people's minds, if all journalists agreed to heed the guidelines and or establish a code of conduct for reporting on children within their media organisations. The public has a right to know the truth. And the media have a right to reveal the truth. But no one has the right to compromise the rights of children, in revealing or knowing this 'truth'. Then what about the readers who crave to know such details such as who, where, when and how? Well...they too have to learn to respect the guidelines of media reporting and satisfy themselves with the limited information given by the media. |
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