Resources - Media Analysis
Media Monitoring Africa releases periodic media analysis pieces looking at current issues in the media though a human rights lens.
Category: Children [REMOVE]
- Mirror of abuse
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29 October 2003 - Despite the extra protection afforded to children in South Africa by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (to which South Africa is a signatory), the Constitution, and various pieces of legislation, members of the media continue to violate the rights of children by identifying them when involved in criminal proceedings or identifying children who have been abused or are in trauma.
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- Putting Children First – This is no gag
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The last few days have seen extensive coverage across all media of a white boy, Happy Sindane, who told police that he had been abducted by a domestic worker when he was 6-years old.
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- Children at Face Value
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The Sowetan Sunday World (SSW from now on) yesterday (15/07/01) carried a story about a seven-year-old boy child who had been disfigured in a fire. They published a close-up picture of the child and identified him by name. The headline was “Give me a Gun.” A note below the picture and the headline stated, “We publish this picture of Oscar Hadebe knowing it might open us to accusations of insensitivity. We want to illustrate the plight of this beautiful child and appeal for help. The R96 000 already donated is not enough for Oscar’s plastic surgery. Sowetan Sunday World pledge R1000 to Oscar’s trust fund. We urge you to join us. - Editor”
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- “...in Every Matter Concerning the Child”
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The case of Nadia Neethling is exceptional, and has presented the media with particularly difficult choices in reporting. She was first named and shown in the media over a week ago, after being abducted while walking home. She was, thankfully, found a few days later and at the time was said to be in good health and that she had not been abused. Recent events saw the arrest and charging of two people in connection with her abduction. It has also subsequently come to light that the two people arrested have been charged with indecent assault. While some media have been extremely careful in their reporting of the case, others have displayed a flagrant disregard for the privacy of the child.
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- In the Best Interests of the Child
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The last few weeks have seen considerable coverage of issues related to children in our media both print and broadcast. Cases concerning abuse, abduction and negligence have received prominent coverage. The media are to be commended in this regard. Two stories however, in today’s Mail & Guardian and the Citizen illustrate some of the problems in covering children in the media and suggest that the rights of the children concerned were violated.
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