ABU DHABI // While it is the duty of media outlets to cover child-protection issues, they must always respect the privacy of victims, say experts.
On Wednesday, the second day of a workshop entitled “the media is a child’s friend”, Eman Bahi Eldeen, media coordinator for the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, said the media needed to display caution and sensitivity.
“Many times, to cover a story, journalists create a bigger problem for the child by making them relive harsh situations, creating mental and emotional effects,” she said.
“In the media, a story should be of a public issue that affects society as a whole and does not harm one specific individual case,” she said.
The child’s privacy should be of utmost concern, Ms Bahi Eldeen said.
“The media should not aim to create chaos and should respect children.
“Pictures and names of children who have been abused should not spread on news outlets, and they should not be blamed for what has happened through the media.”
Dr George Sadqa, dean of the college of communications at the University of Lebanon, believed that media could enact change for the better with stories on the issue.
“The information a journalist needs to be able to keep up with the issues affecting a child are hard to get, but a journalist must not give up,” he said.
“He must initiate and interact with the public on stories that could be hidden and need referring back to. Any piece of information found can and should be investigated, resolved with experts to find a solution, and then used to come up with updates and campaigns,” Dr Sadqa said.
“What is required from the media is to address the small points that are very important within a society. Media is able to shed light on societal concerns and pressure entities and individuals into owning up to their shortcomings and mistakes.” He also said that social media now challenges traditional media.
“Social media has all kinds of information – positive, negative, right and wrong – and they are mostly wrong. We require guaranteed tools to ensure that correct and trusted context is broadcast,” he said.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
