Media plays an integral part in child protection – Ann Greene

Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ann Greene underscore the importance of the media in the protection of a child’s welfare stating that the media plays an integral part in child protection.
The Director expressed these sentiments as she was speaking at a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) media training seminar held at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Georgetown on Saturday.
According to Greene, when the media reports on matter pertaining to children, a number of factors needs to be considered; as such, it poses a special challenge.
In her presentation, she noted that the dignity and rights of every child needs to always be respected and protected no matter the circumstance.
Greene re-informed the media that when reporting on such matters without being cautious, this can cause further harm to a child.

She highlighted “do not further stigmatise any child. Avoid categorisation or descriptions that expose a child to negative reprisals, including additional physical or psychological harm, or to lifelong abuse, discrimination or rejection by their local communities”.
Greene highlighted a number of guidelines that could assist journalists; she presented “do no harm to any child.
Avoid questions, attitudes or comments that are judgemental, insensitive to cultural values, that places a child in danger or expose a child to humiliation or that reactivate a child’s pain and grief from traumatic events.”
The Director used the opportunity to call for more positive focus to be placed on children, “report on their accomplishments and those children that are doing outstanding things, do not only report the negative.”