Dear Editor,
The Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) is a network of civil society organisations working for equality and human rights in Guyana.
Last week a 16-year old child alleged that he was raped by officers of the Guyana Police Force. The GEF is extremely concerned by the way the media have reported this incident.
In any incident involving a child the best interests of the child are the primary consideration. It is obviously contrary to the best interests of a child for the media to report an alleged rape in such a way that the child can be identified.
In the case of this 16-year-old male, it was a serious breach of professional ethics for the media to publish his name, to reveal information by which he could be identified, and to show his face close up on the television, online and in newspapers without a screen or other device to protect his identity. All published photos should have had his face blocked out as, for example was correctly done by Stabroek News.
The Code of Conduct issued by the Press Complaints Commission (UK) states that in any press report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child “the child must not be identified.” There is no reason why children in Guyana should have less protection than children in the UK – his or her identity should be protected.
The GEF is also deeply concerned that this child was interviewed by the media without a parent, guardian or lawyer being present to ensure that the interview was in his best interests.
We remind the media that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is part of our constitution, specifically states that the child is entitled to special safeguards and care. We completely support freedom of expression as a means to the truth. However we also believe that freedom of expression must be exercised with appropriate respect for the inherent dignity and fundamental rights of all children in Guyana.
Children are a particularly vulnerable section of society and that the media has a duty to take this vulnerability into account when reporting any incident which involves a child.
We therefore call on the media in future to ensure that in any case involving sexual violence on a child, the media will not identify the child or provide information which can be used to piece together the identity of the child.
We also request the media to ensure that in such a case they do not interview the child unless the child’s legal representative is present and gives consent.
Yours faithfully,
Melinda Janki, Justice Institute Guyana; Joel Simpson, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination; Margaret Lawrence, Merundoi Incorporated; Wintress White, Red Thread; Danuta Radzik, Help and Shelter; Quincy McEwan, Guyana Trans United; Royston Savory, Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness; Merica George, Artistes In Direct Support; Imarah Radix, S4 Foundation; Cracey Fernandes, Guyana Sex Work Coalition; Duanne Lewis, Guyana Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS; Schemel Patrick, Guyana Girl Guides Association; Apatoa Sterumeshi, Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People; Leon Allen, Diverse Youth Movement; Juanita Burrowes, United Bricklayers; Miriam Williams, Hope For All; Grantley Laundry, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association; Orin Phillips, Youths For Guyana; Gloria Joseph, Lifeline Counselling Services; Goldie Scott, Volunteer Youth Corps; Andrea Bryan-Garner, Youth Media Guyana
