IOL protects a child victim
Protecting the identity of children in the media isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for safeguarding their safety, dignity, and future. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) awards a GLAD[1] to IOL for great journalistic practise of protecting the children’s identity.
The article written by the journalist, Xolile Mtembu namely, “Limpopo father jailed for raping his teenage daughter while his wife made coffee in the kitchen” ( 02/11/2024) reports on Carel Schoeman, 35, an attorney from Heidelberg who is accused of purchasing a 13-year-old girl, regularly raping her while treating her as a sex slave, appeared in the Gauteng High Court on Wednesday, October 30. In the article the journalist does not name the girl’s mother, 38, whose identity cannot be revealed to protect the victim, who allegedly sold the child to Schoeman, according to the charge sheet against her.
In the second article also written by Xolile Mtembu titled, “Attorney accused of buying 13-year-old girl for R160,000 and raping her multiple times, pleads not guilty” (31/10/2024 ) is reportedly about a 45-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping his teenage biological daughter. The journalist does not reveal the father’s identity to protect the identity of the victim.
In both articles the reason behind protecting the children’s identity is stated. This aligns with Section 28.2[2] of the Bill of Rights that states “a child’s best interest is of paramount importance” .
Again, this ethical practice of protecting the identity of children when necessary and reporting in their best interest is in line with MMA’s Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media[3]. The guidelines states that “always hide a child’s identity where the child might be at risk”. Identifying the child would have exposed them to potential harm such as victimisation, trauma, or retribution.
These articles are well recommended because the victims were both protected and had their safety, dignity and future safeguarded.
MMA encourages IOL to continue with this journalistic practice and continue to protect children’s rights.
Written by Siphokazi Pikoko
Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka
[1] GLAD – represent good practice, where the media has promoted the rights and welfare of children
[3] https://www.mediamonitoringafrica.org/images/uploads/zam_guidelinesBooklet.pdf