Imphal, December 27 2009: A one day media workshop on issues related to children was held at Manipur Press Club here today under the aegis of the Coalition on Children's Right to Protection (CCRT).

Giving key-note address of the workshop, CCRT core group member H Rashi observed that children could not raise any objection when they were abused, trafficked, suppressed, raped or left uncared.

Only media can inform the public these children victimised by such activities.

Observing that media are performing great task by highlighting several issues related to children, Rashi noted that by safeguarding the right to confidentiality or privacy of these children regarding their identity, name, address etc, they can be saved from discrimination.

Concealing the identity of a child who has committed a crime gave the child an opportunity to correct himself/herself.

A child may commit a folly/crime but in most cases they are unaware of the possible consequences of their actions.

Quoting Section 21 of the amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, Rashi said that media cannot publish real names, photographs or video clippings of children who have committed crimes.

Any one who violated this prohibition might be fined up to Rs 25,000 .

According IPC Sections 82 and 83, any action committed by children below 12 years cannot be treated as offence, she mentioned.

She said that the workshop was basically organised to avoid reporting in media in such manner that may hurt rights, dignity and feelings of children.

The workshop moderated by former AMWJU president AK Sanaton was participated by Editor of the Imphal Free Press Pradeep Phanjoubam and LMS Law College Lecturer Sapam Dilip as resource persons.

Presenting a paper on the topic, 'Freedom of Press vis-a-vis Right to Confidentiality of Children', Pradeep Phanjoubam traced the causes of children issues.

Sapam Dilip spoke on the topic 'Legal Provisions Restricting Publication of Children's Identity in Media'.

Saying that children are most vulnerable to misuse by adults, he asserted that due care and protection of children can lay the foundation of strong nation.

To publish a media report is a right of the media and safeguarding privacy is a right of children and again full access to media report is a right of the people.

Considering all these, media should exercise their wisdom while publishing reports about children issues.

Quoting norms set by the Press Council of India, Dilip said that media should protect privacy of children.

Names of children victimised in the form of rape or sexual abuse should not be published.

According to the PCI guidelines modified in 2008, status of children living with HIV cannot be disclosed, he quoted.

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