By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has called on journalists and media houses to strictly uphold professional and ethical standards when reporting on issues involving children.
The reminder follows widespread media coverage of a recent kidnapping case in Bulawayo involving a two-year-old child who was later rescued and reunited with her family.
In a statement, ZMC stressed that children are a vulnerable group whose safety and dignity must always take precedence in news coverage.
“Children deserve special protection from media practices that may expose them to harm, stigma, exploitation or psychological distress. Coverage involving minors must be guided by professionalism, sensitivity and adherence to established ethical standards,” the Commission said.
The Commission warned against publishing identifying details, photographs or any information that could compromise a child’s safety or wellbeing, stating that such practices are inconsistent with ethical journalism.
Meanwhile, journalists in Beitbridge received similar guidance during a recent refresher workshop.
Legal practitioner Jabulani Mzinyathi of Garikayi and Company urged reporters to exercise extreme caution when covering stories involving children.
“Reporting cases involving children must be done in such a way that the child’s identity is not revealed. Consequently, the identity of the perpetrator that could lead to the identification of the particular child should also not be disclosed in news stories,” he said.
Mzinyathi referred journalists to Section 195 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07], which provides safeguards for minors involved in legal proceedings.
He noted that court reports often use protective formats such as “S v A (a juvenile)” or “S v D (a juvenile)” to conceal identities.
The workshop underscored the importance of balancing public interest with the legal and moral obligation to protect children, reinforcing that ethical reporting is central to safeguarding minors’ rights and wellbeing