PETALING JAYA: Media freedom and the protection of children’s rights should go hand in hand, according to Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Communications and Digital Minister.
Teo’s statement comes in response to a news report that disclosed a child’s involvement in a crime, including the publication of the child’s family picture and other identifying information.
On Friday (July 8), Teo took to Facebook to address the issue, stating, “While we strive to uphold media freedom, it is crucial to strike a balance by safeguarding the rights and dignity of children.”
Teo also highlighted Section 15 of the Child Act 2001, which serves to protect children from potential harm arising from news coverage.
She questioned the necessity of publishing the family photo, village information, and the father’s name, asking whether such details were truly beneficial to readers.
“Or does it only serve to attract attention at the expense of the child’s privacy, potentially subjecting them and other children in the family to significant negative consequences?” she added.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
