Editorial Guidelines and Principles on Reporting on Children in the Media

Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has developed a set of Editorial Guidelines and Principles on Reporting on Children in the Media, offering practical tips for media professionals on how to report and interview children. According to the guidelines, children’s issues are important and media professionals should always strive to bring attention to issues that affect children in society, i.e. social conditions, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals, such as the eradication of child hunger, education, lack of shelter, etc. Children's interests (such as trends, music, and social media) should also be explored and reported on by media professionals. The booklet includes discussions on ethics when reporting on children, such as respecting children's well-being, dignity, and privacy. It also includes practical tips for reporting on children, particularly around protecting children's identity, the use of images, and interviewing children.

These guidelines have been compiled with the input of children, journalists, editors, and various media practitioners for African media, and were produced as part of a project funded by the European Union in partnership with Save the Children, Media Monitoring Africa (South Africa), the Media Network on Child Rights and Development (Zambia), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. This project is designed to empower children to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting them in the media, and convincing adults that children can contribute to national debate and discussion.