Resources - Get Mad/Glad

The comprehensive reporting in The Star (“Legislation needed to make toys safer for our children”, “Tough tests done to achieve standards” and “What to look out for”, 08/04/08, p. 6) on the safety of children’s toys by Barry Bateman is coverage that should be commended. The articles report on an important issue rarely considered newsworthy, provide in depth and comprehensive coverage, access numerous sources, and are proactive in calling on duty bearers to develop legislation around the identified gap in legislation.

The issue of the safety of children’s toys is one that is not often covered in the media. Where it is covered, the coverage usually follows the accidental death of a child as a result of an unsafe toy.

The way in which Barry Bateman covers this otherwise neglected issue informs parents about the legislative gaps regarding this matter and places these in the public domain. Given the gaps identified in the article, for instance, that there is currently no requirement for toys to be tested, this is significant. The articles argue for the need to develop a legislative framework to address the gap, which makes it compulsory for toy manufactures and importers to have their toy creations tested for safety before being sold to children.

Each article presents a component of the argument for the need to address the safety concern regarding children’s toys. The article “What to look out for” provides parents and other interested parties with a list of things to look out for when it comes to children’s toys. This list is detailed, alerts parents to the things to watch out for, and explains the possible dangers that certain toy features may pose for children.

The information given enables parents and other relevant parties to make informed decisions regarding the purchasing of children’s toys. The information provided in this article is complimentary to the factors raised in the other two articles, namely the current problem of safety in the industry and the SABS testing procedures. All these components together make the coverage in depth and informative.

Media Monitoring Project, in line with legislation, guidance and codes of practice applicable to the media sector, identifies factors that are indicative of good practice in the media’s coverage of issues. These include adherence to journalistic principles of ethical reporting; adherence to legal mechanisms; and provision of adequate context. These articles provide more than adequate context to enhance readers’ knowledge about this issue.

There are numerous sources that have been accessed for the articles, including sources from civil society organisations and a government department representative. This ensures that a range of perspectives are represented, and adds legitimacy to the content of the article.

While children’s views are not included in the articles, arguably the omission is not significant. These articles are arguing for policy change, an issue that children, especially young children, are unlikely to be knowledgeable about. In addition, given that the articles speak primarily about toys meant for young children, it is unlikely that they could have an understanding of, or be able to articulate, the safety concerns raised.

By arguing in favour of a legislative response, this feature on toy safety challenges duty bearers to respond to an identified gap in legislation aimed at making children, recognised as a vulnerable group in society, safer. This is a commendable example of media that is actively setting the agenda and not merely reacting to other groups’ stated agenda.

-Judith Mtsewu-