Journalists must follow caution when reporting events of violence and criminal activities related to children in order to protect their identities as well as their dignity as individuals, speakers said yesterday.
Not just child victims, but child readers will also be benefited from such ethical practice as gory description of a crime is bound to have adverse affect on their mind, the experts agreed.
The speakers made the observations at the launching ceremony of a comprehensive guideline on ethical journalism on and for children for print media at the Brac Centre Inn auditorium in the capital.
An initiative taken by the Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), the guideline was unveiled by Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, who was chief guest at the event.
“I thank the MRDI, the NHRC and Unicef for taking up this project,” Inu said. “Media has a huge responsibility because of its impact on people, society and the state. It is a journalist’s obligation to shed light on the truth of any event. However, the presentation of that truth is also of vital importance.
“Reporters must use their common sense and moral judgement when writing news. You should not write a story in such a way that may cause harm and distress to children and women.”
The four-year project was supported by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Unicef Bangladesh. Major national dailies in the country have agreed to incorporate the guideline in their editorial policy, said Hasibur Rahman, executive director of the MRDI.
NHRC Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman, who presided over the ceremony, said responsible journalism was of utmost importance especially in this day and age.
“The dilemma of what to print and what not to print will always exist. The difference between good journalism and yellow journalism is making the judgement call to present a crime report in a sensible way.”
Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists,, said: “Practising caution when reporting crimes against children is necessary to not only protect their identities, but that of the adults related to the child victims or the event as well – to protect the children.
“This guideline is a start towards ethical journalistic practice. It will need constant work and will be revised if and when necessary,” he added. “However, this guideline should not be confined to journalists; being sensible when dealing with children should be practised by everyone.”
Among other speakers were Abdul Qayyum, associate editor of the Daily Prothom Alo, and Golam Sarwar, editor of the Daily Samakal. Farid Hossain, former bureau chief of the AP in Bangladesh and correspondent of Time Magazine, conducted the event, which was attended by journalists and social and children’s rights activists from Dhaka as well as around the country.