A vulnerable child treated incorrectly in the mass media is a re-victimized child. Some of the journalists do it intentionally in order to produce a sensational news item, to shock the people and to increase the rating of their channel or publication, while the editorial policy supports such an approach, member of the Press Council Daniela Samboteanu, who heads the National Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, has told IPN.
The expert in child rights protection said that some journalists do it because they lack knowledge, including of the deontological principles, but there are also situations when the journalists justify their behavior by noble intentions, arguing they want to help the child. “This is no way acceptable as a difficult situation can be overcome for the moment, but the trauma caused to the child by making his story public can follow him all his life,” she stated.
Daniela Samboteanu noted that there are cases when the children give the journalists interviews and tell them sincerely about what happened to them and what they feel. This does not yet mean that they want to do it as they are rather guided by the feeling of loyalty towards adults, which is cultivated mainly in socially deprived families. The children do not have the capacity to anticipate what will happen after the feature is broadcast, how it will be perceived by mates and neighbors.
“The child in a vulnerable situation whose situation is reported in the media will not feel a star, but will rather feel shame, guilt and lack of dignity. Even the campaigns to support the children must be conducted by respecting the child’s dignity, though the latest practices show that society is ready to help namely when many details are given about the children’s life,” said the psychologist, noting it is important to educate society to be charitable, while the philanthropic organizations should raise funds without violating children’s rights.
According to Daniela Samboteanu, the article of the Journalist’s Deontological Code that is the least resected by journalists when making materials about children bans providing personal data and interviewing the children without the consent of their legal representatives. The interviews made with such violations look more like interrogation.
The Press Council member said the Council was recently notified namely of cases involving children. This means that different institutions and private individuals have a correct position on the covering by the mass media of children in vulnerable situations. “I would say that the trend is generally positive. The warned journalists try to avoid making the same mistakes, but the situation is far from the desired one,” stated Daniela Samboteanu, adding that the violation of the deontological norms can be avoided if the editorial policies are complemented with child protection policies, while the journalists specialized in features and news about children benefit from relevant training.
