IMPHAL, Dec 27: A “one day media workshop on writing for children’s issues” organized by the Children’s Right to Protection (CCRP), was held today at the Manipur Press Club.The workshop was attended by many dignitaries and deliberately discussed on the dos and don’ts to be applied while inviting a report on children issues on news papers, during the technical session held on two topics which includes “freedom of press vis-à-vis right to confidentiality of children”, with AK. Sanaton, former president, AMWJU, attended chairperson and Editor Imphal Free Press, as talker While during the second topic “Legal Provision restricting publication of Children’s identity in media” Sapam Dilip, Lecturer, LMS Law college, attended as talker.H. Rashi Devi, senior member, core group, highlighted on the role of media regarding the publication of child issues. In her key note address, she stated that media personnel should maintain their freedom of expression, and at the same time be sensitive while writing a report on child issues. However, in case of child abuse, child trafficking or such crimes, they should not invade the child’s privacy, revealing their identity, printing their photographs and such, thus invading their right to confidentiality or privacy, in the best interest of the child. She also mentioned that, according to the care and protection of children, Act 2000, in the section 21, it has been stated that, if anyone, be it it a media person or any citizen, if breached this act, revealing names, identities, address and such will be fined with Rupees 25,000.She further stated that, according to the Indian penal court, section 82, the offences committed by the children below 7 years will not be considered as offences. And if the media wishes to disclose the identity of the child involved in an issue, it needs to seek permission from a competent authority such as ‘Law Court’, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board and so on.Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor, Imphal Free Press, in his speech stated that, in trying to solve an issue, one needs to identify its root cause. In this, he mentioned an example children working in workshops. In the general view, such cases were stamped as child labour. But one needs a deep probing, whether it is really child labour or appropriate. If the child working in a workshop is being ill treated, not provided proper care, being taken advantage, then it is a case of child labour. On the other hand, if the child has a tendency, aptitude to handle with mechanical equipments, if he is being sent these by his parents to learn mechanics, so that he can find a way to earn his livelihood in his future, then it can be taken as a sort of education. So such cases need a deep monitoring, he said.With regards to the mentioning of names, identities, address etc. by the media persons on their news on child related issues, there is a debate going on, whether to reveal the identities or hide it. This needs more debate between media persons, experts, psychologist and experts in the field adding that he also held that revealing and hiding the identities have two results. While explaining the results, he said that it creates trauma, invade the privacy and on the other hand hiding the identity may encourage the culprit to commit the crime again and again.In all, the child involved in cases such as rape, abuse etc. are the only one to suffer. They repressed the unwanted trauma from their conscious mind. But it sometimes arises or come out in their dreams in the form of nightmares. So, here, the intervention of experts, psychologist is very much essential.Sapam Dilip, Lecturer, LMS Law College, in this speech said that, children are provided with legal provisions, rights by the constitution, but they are unable to use it. So there lies a gap, vaccum. And here, media’s role plays an important part to fill this gap to raise their voice. Media’s role in the promotion of the child, be it their health, education, all round development. According to him, while reporting about one should consider the three principles which includes freedom to publish freely, to maintain the rights and privacy of the child and to keep in mind the interest of the public and further stated stressed the need to maintain balance while handling the news and also in child friendly way, using proper terminology so as to avoid hurting sentiments of the child.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Media needs to be sensitive in covering child rights: meet
IMPHAL, Dec 27: A “one day media workshop on writing for children’s issues” organized by the Children’s Right to Protection (CCRP), was held today at the Manipur Press Club.The workshop was attended by many dignitaries and deliberately discussed on the dos and don’ts to be applied while inviting a report on children issues on news papers, during the technical session held on two topics which includes “freedom of press vis-à-vis right to confidentiality of children”, with AK. Sanaton, former president, AMWJU, attended chairperson and Editor Imphal Free Press, as talker While during the second topic “Legal Provision restricting publication of Children’s identity in media” Sapam Dilip, Lecturer, LMS Law college, attended as talker.H. Rashi Devi, senior member, core group, highlighted on the role of media regarding the publication of child issues. In her key note address, she stated that media personnel should maintain their freedom of expression, and at the same time be sensitive while writing a report on child issues. However, in case of child abuse, child trafficking or such crimes, they should not invade the child’s privacy, revealing their identity, printing their photographs and such, thus invading their right to confidentiality or privacy, in the best interest of the child. She also mentioned that, according to the care and protection of children, Act 2000, in the section 21, it has been stated that, if anyone, be it it a media person or any citizen, if breached this act, revealing names, identities, address and such will be fined with Rupees 25,000.She further stated that, according to the Indian penal court, section 82, the offences committed by the children below 7 years will not be considered as offences. And if the media wishes to disclose the identity of the child involved in an issue, it needs to seek permission from a competent authority such as ‘Law Court’, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board and so on.Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor, Imphal Free Press, in his speech stated that, in trying to solve an issue, one needs to identify its root cause. In this, he mentioned an example children working in workshops. In the general view, such cases were stamped as child labour. But one needs a deep probing, whether it is really child labour or appropriate. If the child working in a workshop is being ill treated, not provided proper care, being taken advantage, then it is a case of child labour. On the other hand, if the child has a tendency, aptitude to handle with mechanical equipments, if he is being sent these by his parents to learn mechanics, so that he can find a way to earn his livelihood in his future, then it can be taken as a sort of education. So such cases need a deep monitoring, he said.With regards to the mentioning of names, identities, address etc. by the media persons on their news on child related issues, there is a debate going on, whether to reveal the identities or hide it. This needs more debate between media persons, experts, psychologist and experts in the field adding that he also held that revealing and hiding the identities have two results. While explaining the results, he said that it creates trauma, invade the privacy and on the other hand hiding the identity may encourage the culprit to commit the crime again and again.In all, the child involved in cases such as rape, abuse etc. are the only one to suffer. They repressed the unwanted trauma from their conscious mind. But it sometimes arises or come out in their dreams in the form of nightmares. So, here, the intervention of experts, psychologist is very much essential.Sapam Dilip, Lecturer, LMS Law College, in this speech said that, children are provided with legal provisions, rights by the constitution, but they are unable to use it. So there lies a gap, vaccum. And here, media’s role plays an important part to fill this gap to raise their voice. Media’s role in the promotion of the child, be it their health, education, all round development. According to him, while reporting about one should consider the three principles which includes freedom to publish freely, to maintain the rights and privacy of the child and to keep in mind the interest of the public and further stated stressed the need to maintain balance while handling the news and also in child friendly way, using proper terminology so as to avoid hurting sentiments of the child.
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