National Media Guidelines set to protect children in news reporting
Authorities are set to introduce national media guidelines to protect the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of children featured in news reports, while also considering measures to strengthen child protection and improve the handling of child abuse cases.
The guidelines were discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Women and Child Affairs, which met in Parliament this week (22) under the chairmanship of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj.
The guidelines are intended to establish standards for reporting news involving children across print, electronic and social media, with particular emphasis on protecting the best interests of children.
They also seek to ensure accuracy and fairness in reporting while preventing children and their families from being unnecessarily exposed through media coverage.
The Committee stressed that special attention should be paid to media reports involving children with disabilities to ensure their dignity and rights are protected.
Meanwhile, attention was drawn to difficulties faced by Tamil-speaking women and children when lodging complaints with authorities, particularly in areas such as Jaffna.
The Committee discussed recruiting and training more Tamil-speaking female police officers to strengthen Women and Children’s Units in Tamil-speaking areas and reduce language barriers when complaints are made.
Another key issue discussed was the regulation and monitoring of children’s homes operating across the country.
The Committee highlighted the need for a centralised information system covering children’s homes, while stressing that the management of such institutions must be held accountable as part of efforts to prevent abuse of children.
The issue of mothers with children under five travelling overseas for employment was also taken up. A technical committee is expected to reach a final decision on matters relating to the issue.
Authorities also discussed a programme to reimburse educational expenses incurred for the children of women working overseas.
Meanwhile, the Committee considered plans to introduce common standards for all preschools by 2027, along with a common training and certification mechanism for preschool teachers.
Addressing infrastructure deficiencies at preschools was also identified as an area requiring attention.
The Committee further focused on delays in the judicial process involving child abuse cases and discussed several measures aimed at speeding up proceedings.
These include accelerating the issuance of Judicial Medical Officer and Government Analyst reports, addressing staff shortages at the Attorney General’s Department and establishing a special mechanism for the expeditious hearing of child abuse cases.
Proposed legal amendments to prohibit the physical punishment of children by law were also discussed.
Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Namal Sudarshana, other Deputy Ministers, MPs, Ministry officials and other relevant representatives participated in the meeting. (Newswire)
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