> Call to the media

 

 

82  The power of mass media - radio, television, press, and internet -, their effect on children and influence on public opinion make them responsible towards childhood.

 

 

In our communication societies, some mass media represent an economic power whose balance depends widely on the advertising market. On a worldwide scale, it contributes to present an image of the child mostly fabricated in rich countries: the child as a "king", an ultra consumer, the child as an "object" (target of announcers), an image very far from the one of the child as a "right-holder" affirmed in the Convention.

Information, serials and fictions should counterbalance this image of a consumer child through a richer and diversified approach sensitive to poetry, humour, clowning and seriousness as well as to the grim realities affecting thousands of children and their own problems and aspirations.

The image of adolescence is too often associated to violence. Mass media have to mention it wherever it occurs; however, a balance has to be respected [91].

We call upon ethics and professional committees, which all relevant media should dispose of, to introduce a reflection on childhood and adolescence in their charters and to remain always vigilant.

In addition, it would be good to promote media for children, adapted to their age and concerned with their full development.

 

 

Bice Latin America Position Paper has emphasized the growing gap between generations, reinforced by population ageing and life expectancy increase. This diagnosis can be extended to other regions as well.

The media have a specific responsibility to ease the communication between generations, first by not confining young people in a ghetto, a ghetto of triumphant "jeunisme" or of juvenile delinquency, but above all by promoting a genuine dialogue.

Article 17 of the Convention calls upon the media to ensure that the child has access to information from different sources, and "promote his or her social and cultural well-being". In our multicultural societies, this provision implies specific obligations for the media: recognition of different cultures, enhancing them and facilitating the dialogue between peoples and communities belonging to different cultures [92].

 

 

Bice Africa Position Paper highlights the role of the media in promoting the rights of the child:

 "The question of the rights of the child is not well-understood by the public opinion [...]. An important work of explanation is necessary, specifically in less educated environments [...]. Mass media can have a big impact in raising awareness and educating for a change of harmful behaviours. Their implication is essential." [93]

Training media professionals to a child rights culture is important. In addition, children themselves can be formidable mediators, on radio as well as on TV and have to be more involved in promoting their rights.

Media have also a key role to play to denounce child rights violations and call upon concerned actors and public authorities.

 

 

[91] See General Comment 1 of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, op. cit., § 21. see also the recommendations formulated after the Day of General Discussion on children and the media, 1996, A/53/41, § 1396, annex IX of the report of the 13^th session of the Committee: CRC/C/50, 7 October 1996 and § 242-257 of the report CRC/C/57.

[92] See also Article 7 of the Fribourg Declaration on Cultural Rights www.droitsculturels.org

[93] Africa Position Paper, p. 13.