Some Aspects of International and Domestic Regulations related to Violations of Children’s Rights in the Media

Abstract

Based on a substantive analysis of children’s rights regulations in the international and national context, the authors provide a kind of synthesis of the professional characteristics of the journalistic profession in the Republic of Croatia as a basis for further research into ethical norms in objective and credible reporting of situations, events and information in which children are actors. Faced with conventions that almost override the laws and regulate the right to protect a child, as well as multiple laws, traditional and digital media frequently violate children’s rights in pursuit of sensationalism and profit. A significant number of reported violations of conventions and laws has brought the professional ethics of journalists and editors into question, as evidenced by certain limited empirical research. The paper is also the basis for further research, deeper verification of child protection in the media, in both traditional and new media. The legal and ethical framework of professional journalism continues to be a subject of research, particularly focusing on empirically identifying the “fine line” that leads to violations of the children’s rights. The goal is to establish a boundary that would ensure full respect for children’s rights, regardless of the severity of the offence, while also demanding a higher level of professional and ethical responsibility from journalists and improving the overall quality of media. The authors see media literacy of those who make up the media today (journalists and editors) as a new alphabet of the 21st century.