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Unicef workshop stresses ethical reporting to protect children

16 Oct 2024 Unicef workshop stresses ethical reporting to protect children By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – A two-day workshop – held by Unicef at the Ministry of Information – on ethical journalism while reporting on children, witnessed brainstorming sessions focussed on the dos and don’ts while reporting drowning incidents, war orphans, online abuse, bullying, and the kinds of pressure children face from parents for various reasons.

Led by Lebanese journalist Charbel Raji, the event focused on the importance of empathy and impartiality when reporting on issues related to children.

More than 100 participants from various sectors, including the media, law enforcement agencies, religious organisations, lawyers and academicians, attended the workshop, which emphasised the need for safeguarding children’s dignity and privacy in media coverage.

One of the most alarming issues raised during the event was the rising number of child drownings during flash floods in Oman.

Mustafa Yousuf, a journalist and a filmmaker, expressed concern over this recurring tragedy. “Oman is prone to severe rains and flash floods, and children are often the victims. During a calamity earlier this year, 12 children lost their lives,” Yousuf said. In response to these incidents, Unicef aligned its efforts with the World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25) to raise awareness and promote preventative measures.

The issue of morality and age among offenders was also highlighted. A senior Royal Oman Police official shared a disturbing case where a 17-year-old boy blackmailed 71 Omani women by misusing their Instagram photos.

“Due to legal restrictions, authorities had to wait until the boy turned 18 to arrest him,” the official said. He was later sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The case underscored the growing risks of online abuse and the challenges of dealing with adolescent offenders.

Addressing the emotional needs of children was another key point of discussion. Hawra al Maimani, a lecturer and a parent, shared her personal experience of guiding her three-year-old daughter through difficult questions.

“Answers to children must be a priority for parents. If we do not satisfy their curiosity, who will? We must help them develop critical thinking; otherwise, they risk developing split personalities,” she explained.

The increasing influence of social media on children was also discussed in that workshop.

Abdullah al Hashmi, from the Oman Journalism Association, spoke about the difficulty parents face in controlling their children’s exposure to online contents. “Though I feel that I can control my son’s exposure to YouTube, he knows everything about how to access it,” he admitted.

Khalidja al Kindi, Unicef’s communication officer, said, “Today’s event highlights the urgent need for collaboration between parents, educators, policymakers, and the media to create a safer environment for Oman’s children.”

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