SOUTH AFRICA: MMP and SAfmto present radio conference on the media about child abuse (21 November 2005)

Submitted by crinadmin on

Summary: The Media Monitoring Project (MMP), Save the Children Sweden and SAfm have announced the broadcast of South Africa’s first ever ‘radio conference’ on the media’s role in covering child abuse. Taking place on Sunday, 27 November and Sunday, 4 December, between 10:00 and 11:00 on MEDIA @ SAfm, the conference coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.

“The media play a critical role in raising issues against child abuse and gender based violence. This role becomes even more pronounced during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign,” says William Bird, director, Media Monitoring Project. “In telling the stories of abuse it is imperative that journalists report in a manner that will not further violate the child’s rights.”
Hosted by Jeremy Maggs, Media@SAfm presenter, the conference will feature a panel of local and international media and children’s rights experts who will contextualise the representation of children and abused children in the media and unpack the South African complaints process. Each conference session will be followed by a roundtable discussion allowing for listener interaction.
“As South Africa’s news and information leader, SAfm is excited to be part of South Africa’s first ever radio conference. As a public broadcast station, SAfm fulfils an important role in educating and informing people on matters important to nation-building. Our national footprint and a targeted programme, Media@SAfm, aimed at the communication’s industry and the issues surrounding it makes us the perfect radio partner for this conference,” says Mapule Mbhalati, SAfm Station Manager
The conference keynote address will be delivered by Cheryl Gillwald, Deputy Minister of Correctional Services. Other key participants include:
  • Shirley Mabusela, former commissioner on South African Human Rights Commission and contributor to the development of the children’s rights clauses in the South African Constitution.
  • Professor Jenny Kizinger of Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, a published author and leading expert on the media’s role in reporting on child abuse and sexual violence against women.
  • Advocate Retha Meintjes, president of the South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (SAPSAC) and advocate with the National Prosecutions Authority
  • Ed Linington, South African  Press Ombudsman
  • Professor Kobus van Rooyen, chairperson of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA)

"The abuse of children is unacceptable under any circumstances. The media has a responsibility to expose abuse where it occurs in the hope of creating a better and safer world for our children." says Dennis O’Donnell, Programmes Manager SAfm
“This conference is not only important for journalists and media practitioners. If we as a nation want to put an end to child abuse it is important for all South African’s to be aware of the child’s rights and the issues in reporting on it,” concludes Bird.
More information on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign.

Country: 
South Africa
Issues: 
Children and the media
Gender and girls
Physical abuse
Psychological abuse
Violence: 
Physical abuse
Psychological abuse
Tags: 
x CHR News

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.