(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) issuing the National Child Protection Policy has stressed the importance of adopting standard media ethics on reporting cases pertaining to child abuse.
The NCPA states that the government actively discourages the reporting of child abuse victims in the media.
Reporting about child abduction for example should only be done if such a report is beneficial for the victimised child, the NCPA observes.
It also states that in all cases of providing information to the general public about a particular child or a group of children, the privacy and confidentiality must be ensured.
“Reporting about such cases that disclose the identity of victimised children should be avoided as this could further complicate the situation and put the victims at further risk” the National Child Protection Policy has further stated. The NCPA also points out that all electronic, print and social media should desist from using children in advertisements, programmes or any such presentation in ways that would instigate violence, abuse, negligence and damage a child’s personality.
The NCPA also highlights the importance of standardization of the media and technology in keeping with the Sri Lankan culture and identity to ensure the best interests, development and safety of the child. The NCPA Policy which received Cabinet approval on October 10, 2019 is now accessible via the NCPA official website www.childprotection.gov.lk. The National Child Protection Policy was formulated by the NCPA after consultation with the public, non-governmental (local and foreign), civil, community volunteers and children.
Implementation of the policy will be supervised by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Security.
