CHR Caraga partners with media in bolstering child protection
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga recently convened and partnered with the media practitioners of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte for a human rights-based approach to media reporting, held in this city.
This initiative strengthened the observance of children’s rights and protection by all sectors of the society, including media practitioners.
“The media has a significant role of empowering the public and bringing social change,” said Attorney Aurora Luanne R. Cembrano-Ramos, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga, as she underscored the media’s significant influence on the public as a primary source of information.
She also highlighted the mindfulness of the media practitioners on proper etiquette in handling communication operations and coverages that involve children.
According to Attorney Euvic M. Ferrer of CHR Central Mindanao, “Children, including those in conflict with the law and with disabilities, have human rights such as the right to privacy.”
He reminded the media of the proper etiquette in conducting an interview involving children to protect their rights and privacy. He said, “We need to ensure that prior to the interview, there is consent from the parents or guardians, including the child who will be interviewed. They need to know and understand the purpose, details and questions to ask during the interview.”
“Getting their consent represents that you respect the rights of the child and allowing them to answer only the questions that they are comfortable with. This also sends a message to those victims that they are safe and protected,” Attorney Ferrer added.
Also, he emphasized that disclosing any information that will sensationalize the identity of the child as either victim or the accused through publication and dissemination of the information is unlawful.
“As media practitioners, let us help our children have a voice and feel safe. It is better to seek help,” Ferrer bared.
The government’s campaign on children’s rights and protection by empowering the media practitioners as enablers and advocates, delivers a message of hope to those children and their families to bravely come out of fear of the stigma. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
