'Journalists must not reveal identity of victims when reporting cases under POCSO Act'
Source: The Sangai Express

Tengnoupal, April 25 2019: With the vision 'All children are protected from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation,' FXB India Suraksha, Manipur Branch and Centre for Development Activities (CDAC) jointly organised a "Training Program for Journalists on right base reporting on Human Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse" today at the Conference Hall of Meetei Council Moreh, Tengnoupal district.

The training program has conceptualized with the objective to understand the nuances of ethical reporting specially when it comes to reporting story about the victims of trafficking and child sexual abuse, said the officials.

The training programme highlighted the different guidelines and provisions laid down by National Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court and Juvenile Justice Act.

"We believe with better reporting, the community at large will be benefited in addressing their vulnerability and take appropriate steps to protect the women and children from trafficking and sexual abuse," said a resource person during the programme.

'Journalists must not reveal identity of victims when reporting cases under POCSO Act'

The resource persons stressed the importance of reporting sensitively but without resorting to identification and further victimisation of the victims.

Identity of the victims should not be revealed and give away to protect them from social stigma and further abuses, said the resource persons.

Talking about the 'Journalism ethics and responsibilities while reporting on children's issues,' programme manager of FXB India Suraksha, Satya Prakash said, that apart from the juvenile justice and child rights institutions which were installed much later, media has vital roles in propagating awareness about human trafficking and child abuse.

Media is a tool which makes people aware and empowers them to protect their rights, he said.

"Freedom of expression is given to all citizens, but there is no absolute freedom without any restriction," he said.

When reporting cases related to child abuse, POCSO Act lays down specific rules of reporting.

It directs the media to protect the identity of the children who are victims.

Any detail that can lead to the identification of the survivor must not be revealed.

Schools, institutions, address of school or any particulars that may reveal identity of victim should not reported, he added.

The identity must not also be revealed even if they are 'child in needs of care and protection' or 'child conflict with law' .

Although the name and details of the child can be published for the sake of the child in missing or kidnapping case.

If a report is published against the Act, then the journalist can be jailed for six months/ one year with fine.

Identification of an accused perpetrator published on news may sometimes disclose the identity of the victims.

Even if a victim or parents agree to be identified, they may not fully understand the ramifications of their decision, he said.

These often have potential to cause harm to the child and the family, and this far outweighs any potential benefits from the story.

The training programme was attended by Kh Sunil Meitei, project officer, FXBIS Imphal and Moirangthem Sushilkumar, founder Centre for Development Activities (CDAC), Wangjing Manipur.

It may be mention that FXB India Suraksha's project called 'MUKTI' was launched in the district of Ukhrul and Imphal to combat human trafficking and prevent child sexual abuse in Manipur.

FXB India Suraksha (FXBIS) is a child rights organization registered in year 2007 as non-profit company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 .

FXBIS works in 10 States and union territories and has reached out to over 200,000 people through its community based programmes and interventions.

Journalists form Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kakching and Thoubal districts attended the training programme.