The Director of the Ghana Police Service’s Domestic Violence and Victim Support Units (DOVVSU), Assistant Commissioner of Police Owusua Kyeremeh, has called on journalists to prioritize children’s rights and wellbeing when reporting on stories involving minors.
Speaking at a training workshop for journalists on ethical reporting on children in vulnerable situations, organized by DOVVSU in collaboration with Trailblazers and Statements Limited, ACP Kyeremeh expressed concerns about the exposure of children in publications without proper consent, context, or protection.
This, she noted, can worsen their situation and even lead to some dropping out of school.
ACP Kyeremeh advised journalists to conceal children’s identities, use initials instead of publishing their names, and prioritize the welfare of children over sensational news.
She also urged reporters to familiarize themselves with legislation related to children’s rights, such as the Juvenile Justice Act, the DOVVSU Act, and the Children’s Act.
“Most of the time we realised that journalists in reporting on children are either not aware of the rights of the child or simply choose not to pay attention to and respect those rights. As a result, while doing their job, they end up infringing on the rights of children,” she noted.
Daniel Coffie, a program officer at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, cautioned journalists against repeatedly asking abused children to describe their trauma, as this can exacerbate their emotional distress.
He advocated for a focus on care and protection, emphasizing the need to steer clear of sensationalism in reporting.
Lawyer Edith Vanessa Khartey advised reporters to thoroughly investigate claims of abuse before publishing them.
To raise awareness about vulnerable children and hold offenders accountable, she called for cooperation between the media and civil society organizations.
Michael Mawugbe, Executive Secretary to the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, emphasized the importance of professionalism and ethics in media work.
He advised journalists to focus on broader issues affecting children rather than their personal stories.
By: Ernestina Afake | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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