Children in media: To show or not to show their faces
Published:Friday | December 19, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR Madam:
A man has reportedly been taken into custody after being intercepted with a six-year-old girl who was allegedly taken from her school in May Pen, Clarendon. While the swift intervention of the authorities is commendable, the manner in which some media houses have reported this incident raises serious ethical concerns particularly the decision to show the child’s face while concealing the identity of the alleged perpetrator.
This practice runs counter to the most basic principles of ethical journalism and stands in direct opposition to Jamaica’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Jamaica is a State Party. Article 16 of the UNCRC clearly establishes a child’s right to privacy, dignity, and protection from arbitrary or unlawful interference. Article 19 further obliges States to protect children from all forms of abuse and exploitation, including harm that may arise from public exposure.
Publishing images that clearly identify a minor who is a victim of an alleged crime does not serve the public interest. Instead, it exposes the child to potential stigma, retraumatization, and long-term psychological harm. In a digital age where images are permanent and endlessly shareable, this harm is not fleeting it can follow a child for life. The imbalance becomes even more troubling when the adult suspect’s face is blurred or withheld, effectively shielding the alleged offender while placing the full burden of visibility on the child. Ethical journalism demands that children be afforded heightened protection, not reduced safeguards.
International best practice is clear: minors involved in cases of abuse, abduction, or exploitation should never be identifiable, whether through photographs, names, school details, or other distinguishing information. This standard is not about suppressing information; it is about responsible reporting that prioritizes human rights over sensationalism.
The media plays a powerful role in shaping public discourse and social norms. With that power comes responsibility. Journalists and editors must consistently ask: Does this image add value to public understanding, or does it simply satisfy curiosity at the expense of a child’s welfare? In cases involving children, the answer is almost always the latter.
Media practitioners should adhere to the Press Association of Jamaica’s Code of Practice, and to align their work with international child rights standards. Protecting children is a courtesy it is a legal and moral obligation.
AFRICKA STEPHENS
Attorney-in-Waiting