Substance abuse is a serious problem that South Africa is battling with. For the reason that the challenge has huge implications for many children in South Africa as it potentially contributes to family dysfunctions among other social problems, every sector of society especially the media needs to come on board to highlight the problem and help address it. Highlighting this must however be done responsibly to protect the children involved. Daily Sun did not do this in its article titled “How I beat Drugs!” (11/07/2018, p.1-2).

The article, for which Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) gives a MAD,[1] is about a 16-year-old recovering “drug addict” who is reported to have given his mother permission to chain him to a gas cylinder to prevent him from going out to look for drugs. The story, which is a follow-up to another titled “Better chained up than dead!” (06/10/2017, p.5), identifies both the child and his mother through name and picture.

 According to the story, the child’s mother told the publication that her son “took any kind of drug he could get his hands on and even robbed people”. Therefore, Daily Sun should have avoided identifying the child directly and otherwise to protect him as a potential suspect of crimes. Identifying him potentially compromised the child’s safety as the people he robbed might attack him for retribution.

The Code of ethics and conduct for South African print and online media[2] in Section 8.1.3 advises the media to “exercise exceptional care and consideration when reporting about children. If there is any chance that coverage might cause harm of any kind to a child, he or she shall not be interviewed, photographed or identified without the consent of a legal guardian or of a similarly responsible adult and the child …”

The article does not state whether informed consent to be identified was obtained from both the mother and child. MMA always advises the media to explain to subjects in the story the potential consequences of having their identities revealed in the media. We also always urge the media to exercise their duty to protect children by gauging whether revealing the child’s identity is in the best interest of the child, even where consent has been obtained. This is supported by Section 28.2 of the Bill of Rights which states that “A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.”

Additionally, given the stigma that is associated with drugs, Daily Sun should have withheld the child’s identity to protect his right to dignity and not place him at potential risk of humiliation.  Doing so was a violation of MMA’s Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media[3] which advise journalists to Always respect children’s dignity and well-being.

MMA urges Daily Sun to always uphold and protect children’s rights and best interests in the media at all times. We look forward to reading more ethically reported stories about children in future.  

By Ntsako Manganyi

[1] A MAD refers to an article where the rights and welfare of children have been compromised through irresponsible reporting.

[2] http://www.presscouncil.org.za/ContentPage?code=PRESSCODE

[3] See MMA’s Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media developed with the input of journalism and child experts http://54.217.43.239/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mma_editorial_guideline.pdf Page 2