Children deserve and are afforded special rights. This shouldn’t be too controversial given that the UN declaration on the rights of the child has been signed by all but two nations in the world. In South Africa we have, arguably, the most comprehensive section on children in our constitution anywhere in the world. Often, in efforts to get the story out, journalists forget the consequences of their actions. The manner in which the assault and rape of a school boy in Kimberley earlier this month was reported by some media – including publishing the video online – is a prime example.
February 25, 2015