16. 10. 2004

Children’s Rights Centre criticises media

BELGRADE, October 16, 2004 (Beta) – The Centre for Children’s Rights has said that using the full name of a child victim in reporting on child abuse cases is a breach of the Information Act. According to the act, says the centre, a minor must not be identifiable or recognisable in the publication of any information which could violate his rights or interests. The organisation quoted examples of reporting in some Belgrade media in the case of a baby admitted recently to the University Children’s Hospital in Tirsova Street amid allegations of sexual abuse. The centre described this reporting as a typical example of violation of privacy and damage to the reputation and dignity of a child. “Violence and abuse issues could certainly be approached in a more constructive manner in order to focus on ways of preventing and protection such matters, together with the motives for such incidents,” said the Centre for Children’s Rights in its statement.