S.L. 350.16 Art. 7

Children 7.1 Children’s vulnerability must be a prime concern for broadcasters. 7.2 It must be understood that children do not lose their rights to privacy because of tragic events concerning their parents or their school.

7.3 Care should be taken that a child’s gullibility or trust is not abused to obtain more information concerning the tragedy.

7.4 Children should not be questioned about private family matters or asked for views on matters likely to be beyond their capacity to answer properly. 7.5 Consent from parents or those in loco parentis should be obtained before interviewing children under 18 on matters of significance. Where consent has not been obtained or actually refused, any decision to go ahead can only be justified if the tragedy is of overriding public interest and the childís appearance is absolutely necessary. 7.6 Similarly, children under 18 involved in tragedies where police enquiries or legal proceedings are taking place should not be identified in programmes.

7.7 Notwithstanding what may be deemed to be acceptable for reasons of newsworthiness and the publicís right to know, certain situations, particularly those involving gory, shocking and other appalling scenes likely to impress, should not be broadcast before the watershed.