Child Rights International launches Child Protection Code of Ethics

The Child Rights International (CRI), a child centred civil society organization, has launched a Child Protection Code of Ethics for Journalists; dubbed “Making the Worth of Children Matter through Reporting”.

The Code of Ethics was developed by the CRI in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission, with funding from the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

It seeks to expand and entrench article 14 and 15 of the GJA Code of Ethics; which also emphasises the need to report child related issues in a manner that guarantees the safety of children in Ghana as a national development issue.

This often involves withholding certain details from reports such as the names of minors, crime victims’ names or information not directly related to particular news reports which might harm someone’s reputation, or put the person at risk.

Dr Affail Monney, the President of the GJA, speaking at the launch in Accra, said the code by itself cannot rule out all infractions but would go a long way to support the genuine effort of professionals to do the right thing.

He lauded Mr Bright Kweku Appiah, the Executive Director of CRI, for his efforts in helping to compile the Code of Ethics for Journalists.

Dr Monney said the literal child abuse by the media should be confined to history.

The goal of the Code is to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct amongst all journalists in their reportage on children.

Its objective is to provide guidance for journalists to report issues of children in conformity with journalism ethics particularly with respect, dignity and promotion of right and wellbeing of children in Ghana.

“Our motive, together with other stakeholders is to ensure that reporting on children doesn’t put them at any risk that could harm their social, physical and psychological wellbeing,” Mr Appiah said.

“In doing this, we must recognise that, we are not only protecting these children but also creating a safe world for them,” he said.

The Executive Director said the purpose of the document is to address a wide range of issues affecting children and also serve as a guideline for journalists for the common goal of seeking the best of children when reporting.

He announced that CRI in collaboration with the GJA would institute an award scheme for radio journalists who distinguish themselves in child right report in English and local languages categories.

The 15 paged document also outlines the responsibility of journalists towards society for the interest of children.

Ms Johanna Eriksson Takyo, Chief Protection Programme Officer for UNICEF Ghana, said there is no doubt that the child protection code of ethics for journalists would be instrumental to promote good reporting ethics among journalists, and support them pay greater attention to rights of children.