The article by IOL titled, “Black Coffee urges followers to keep his children off social media amid divorce drama”(10/17/2025) was nominated for the MAD[1] of the week, for identifying the minor children of the parents who are celebrities and involved in a dispute. Therefore, violate the children’s rights to privacy.
The child’s rights to privacy does not end when parents separate or divorce. Media must continue to protect the identity of children who are minors even after a ruling in a maintenance or divorce case. Both the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998 and the Divorce Act 70 of 1979 (as amended) emphasise that the best interests of the child are paramount. The Maintenance Act regulates parental obligations to provide financial support for children, and in doing so, the law recognises that children involved in maintenance proceedings are vulnerable and their personal information must be treated confidentially. Similarly, the Divorce Act requires the court to make decisions regarding custody, access, and care arrangements that safeguard the child’s welfare, which includes protecting their privacy and identity throughout and after the proceedings.
In addition, the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 explicitly guarantees a child’s right to dignity, privacy, and protection from exploitation or harm. Media houses reporting on maintenance or divorce cases involving minors must therefore avoid publishing names, photographs, or any identifying information about the children, even after the court has issued a ruling. Disclosing a child’s identity could cause emotional harm or compromise their safety, undermining the principles of both the Maintenance Act and Divorce Act. Protecting children’s identities aligns with these legislative frameworks and ensures that the child’s rights remain respected, reinforcing the ongoing legal and ethical duty to safeguard minors in all matters relating to parental disputes.
Furthermore, the Independent Media Press Code places significant emphasis on protecting the identities and privacy of children. According to Chapter 1, Section 10 of the Press Code, the media has a clear responsibility to safeguard children from unnecessary exposure, ensuring that their names, images, and personal information are not disclosed in ways that could harm their well-being or reputation. These guidelines stress that the media must always consider a child’s dignity, seek parental or guardian consent when necessary, and exercise editorial discretion to prevent any potential risk to the child. By following these principles, the media helps ensure that the portrayal of children does not compromise their safety, privacy, or emotional security.
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) urgers IOL to maintain consistency in reporting sensitive stories involving celebrities and their families. On the same date, IOL published a story titled, “Actress details R100m divorce battle with top DJ: Career sacrifices and luxury lifestyle revealed”(10/17/2025). In this article, the media outlet carefully refrained from mentioning the names of the celebrities or their children. The story explicitly notes that the identities of the individuals cannot be revealed because they have minor children.
MMA’s call highlights the need for uniform standards in media reporting, especially in cases involving minors, to protect children from unnecessary exposure and potential harm.
Written by Musa Rikhotso
Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka
[1] MADs are given to journalists for irresponsible reporting that subjects children to potential harm.