Guidelines and approaches to news coverage of children and youth

UNICEF Belize &The University of the West Indies Open Campus, Belize

Journalists & Children Study by Dr. MagdaMichielsens of the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands (1995) “In words and pictures children can often become cyphers, representing youth, hope, joy, misery or despair, but not properly existing as individual people in their own right.”

What do you think?Photographer Nick Uttook this picture of KimPhuc, age 9. She wasfleeing herVietnamesevillage after a naplamattack. (1972)(See p. 51 in “Gudelines”)

Naming names ASK yourself What harm might be caused? e.g. a feature story about the top CXC performer vs. the child victim of a crimeClause 5 of the IFJ Guidelines “guard against visually or otherwise identifying children unless it is demonstrably in the public interest.” FOR MORE see page 45 in “Guidelines”

Interviewing Ask, is it necessary to interview a child for this story? Even if I CAN (e.g. permission is granted) SHOULD I? “How can an interview be carried out effectively while still respecting the rights of the child?” For more see p. 57 of “Guidelines”

Interviewing UNICEF Style Book Annex VII 1) Do no harm to any child 2) Do not discriminate is choosing children to interview 3) No staging 4) Ensure children and guardians know they are talking with a reporter

Interviewing UNICEF Style Book Annex VII 5) Obtain permission from the child and his/her guardian 6) Pay attention to WHERE and HOW the child is interviewed

Interviewing Permission and presence of guardian Ensure the child is relaxed and comfortable Address question to the child, not the adult Adopt a calm, friendly tone. Clear, straightforward language for questions Repeat questions as necessary Sit or stand at the same level as the child Do not “talk down” to the child

Interviewing Eye contact may not always be the best idea Ask factual questions rather than how a child feels Seek corroboration Carefully select interpreters

Photography & Video Practicalities (see page 32 “Telling their Stories” Journalistic purpose Issues for Consideration Exploring Alternatives Checklist

Consulting with Children Toolkit from Save the Children Consulting with children important because: It improves the relevance and appropriateness of public and organisational decision-making on children‟s issues It brings particular benefits to the poorest and most marginalised groups of children It acknowledges a shift in the view of children as „beneficiaries‟ of adult interventions towards respect for them as „rights holders‟ It is the main means by which children can be more actively included in their society as active and responsible citizens

Consulting with Children Toolkit from Save the Children It increases the visibility of children‟s issues and helps to improve the accountability of adult institutions for what happens to children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms children‟s right to express their views freely in all matters that affect them. The Convention also enhances children‟s participation through the recognition of children‟s right to seek and receive appropriate information; freedom of expression; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the right to form and join associations.

Consulting with Children What‟s in it for a journalist?

Consulting with children Checklist (Toolkit from Save the Children) Objectives and learning needs Participants Planning and logistics Facilitation Language Evaluation

Guidelines and approaches to news coverage of children and youth

by Holly Edgell

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