Ombudsperson Says Media Violates Standards When Broadcasts Child Abuse
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, August 22
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria says that media outlets should take into account a child’s interests and observe ethical standards when covering issues related to children, including cases of suicide.
“Unfortunately, details of the teenager's private life were exposed in one of the most recent cases, which represents a violation of her best interests,” Lomjaria stated about the suicide case of a 16-year-old girl, after one of the boys she knew from Facebook threatened her that he would show private messages and videos to the girl’s parents.
“Unfortunately, timely detection of the cases of child abuse and proper support remains problematic. Stereotypical views, gaps in the provision of information about support services and lack of information about protection mechanisms make the cases of child abuse, especially the cases of sexual harassment and violence, covered and tabooed,” Lomjaria says.
The public defender says that a hotline accessible by any minor should launch to protect children from violence.
“The hotline of the social service, which works only during working hours, cannot cover the need in this direction,” Lomjaria says.
