Extreme insensitivity on part of the media has come to light during the news reporting of the first child witness deposing in the 26/11 terror-attack case, where not just the 10-year-old girl's name was unchanged, but her photographs were also published.
Extreme insensitivity on part of the media has come to light during the news reporting of the first child witness deposing in the 26/11 terror-attack case, where not just the 10-year-old girl's name was unchanged, but her photographs were also published.u00a0u00a0
Santosh Shinde, a Mumbai-based child rights activist, said that since the girl's identity had been revealed, it had resulted in the violation of Section 21 of the Juvenile Justice Act (see box). "Since she was a child witness, the media should have been sensible enough while reporting. Her rights have to be protected at all times," Shinde said.u00a0u00a0
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A counsellor attached to the Child Welfare Committee said that the prosecution should have handled the case more sensibly. They should have opted for testifying the child before a camera and the media should have refrained from publishing the photograph of the girl.u00a0
Sandhya Bajaj, Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), New Delhi, said, "The ongoing trial of Mohammed Ajmal Qasabu00a0is a high-profile case. The Juvenile Act and the Informationu00a0and Broadcasting Act clearly mention about safety and protection of child right while telecasting or publishing cases pertaining to a juvenile. The Commission will review the entire episode and necessary decision would be taken on the issue."
Veteran columnist Anil Dharkar condemned the act. He stated, "It is deplorable that certain newspapers handled the case insensibly by publishing not only the photograph of the girl, but also disclosed her identity. The prosecution should ensure that a witness's details are not leaked out, especially in sensitive cases, which involve testimony of a juvenile. Hope the child does not land in any trouble."u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
When contacted, Joint Comissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria remained unavailable for comment.
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The Juvenile Justice Act Section 21.1 of the Juvenile Act reads that no report in any newspaper, magazine newssheets or visual media of any inquires regarding a juvenile in conflict with law shall disclose the name, address, school or any other particulars calculated to identification of the Juvenile. And nor shall any picture of the juvenile be published, provided that reasons be recorded in writing to the authorities. The inquiry may permit such disclosure, if it is in the interest of the juvenile.u00a0 Any person contravening to section 21/1 shall be punished with a fine, which may extend to Rs 1,000. u00a0 |
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