Media Guidelines on Children on the Basis of Delhi High Court Directions Under WP(C) No. 787/2012

DIPR
Imphal, Aug. 23: Media coverage on matters relating to children may have long term consequences on their overall development  (physical, mental, psychological, emotional, moral, social, economic etc.), life and dignity; and lack of care by Media in this regard may entail real risk of children facing harm, stigma, disqualification, retribution etc. The privacy, dignity, physical and emotional development of children is the utmost importance, which are to be preserved and protected at all times, while reporting/broadcasting/publication of news/ programs/ documentaries etc. on and for children.
The guidelines mentioned below are proposed in the backdrop of the existing legal framework to secure and protect the rights of children and to set-out the minimum parameters of responsibility to be borne by print and electronic media to secure.
‘Child’ or ‘Children’ shall mean a person(s) who has/have not completed 18 years of age. ‘Media’ shall include, but not be limited to, any newspaper, magazine, news- sheet or electronic media
Involvement of children in news/programs/documentaries etc. must evidently be editorially justified from a child rights perspective.
Media shall ensure that child victims of rape, other sexual offences, trafficking, drug/substance abuse, elopement, organized crimes, children used in armed conflict with law and child witness etc. are automatically guaranteed anonymity for life.
Media must ensure that due consideration is given to a child’s right to privacy and to prevent the child from being exposed to anxiety, distress, trauma, social stigma, risk to life & safety and further suffering in relation to reporting/ broadcasting/publication of news/programs/documentaries etc. on and for children.
Media shall ensure that a child’s identity is not revealed in any manner, including but not limited to, disclosure of personal information, photograph, school/institution/locality and information of the family including their residential/official address.
Media shall not sensationalize issues or stories, especially those relating to children, should be conscious of the pernicious consequences of disclosing / highlighting information in a sensational form and the harm it may cause to children.