“After analyzing the broadcasted material, the Council established that an unprofessional treatment of a very sensitive subject took place, whereas the identity of the minor was not protected at all for the whole duration of the show. The media has breached the very program principles that should be the foundation of programs broadcasted, included in Article 68 of the Law for broadcasting activity, the obligation to protect the privacy and dignity of personality. Because of all this the Council will issue a written warning to this medium”, stated for Netpress, Borce Manevski, spokesman for the Broadcasting Standard Council.
In addition, he states that unfortunately the Law for broadcasting activity does not predict criminal penalty for such cases. That is why the BSC has prepared amendments to this Law, which will provide sanctioning and prevention, as they state from the Council, of such cases occuring in the future.
The editor-in-chief from TV Sitel stated that the broadcasting of the interview with the girl was according to regulations.
“I think that the right thing has been done with this broadcast, both by the girl and TV station. Since there has been no reaction from her parents or legal guardians, then that broadcast is OK”, said Dragan Pavlovik – Latas, editor-in-chief of TV Sitel.
The spokesman for the Ombudsman, Uranija Pirovska, states that they have not received a legal notification for this case, but what has been done is not appropriate since the girl is still a minor.
“For years we have been emphasizing the fact that the children’s identity has to be protected. What’s been done is not correct, because we are talking about an under-aged girl. The parents or legal guardians now have the right to sue the TV station, since now there is a greater risk for her safety”, says Pirovska.
The First Children’s Embassy – Megjashi after reviewing the recording of the show, concluded that it’s obvious that the girl is in need of support and help, but that has to be done in an appropriate manner, by an expert team of psychologists and social workers and not by publicly displaying her on TV.
They also pointed out that a public display of an interview with a victim of violence simply presents a reoccurring trauma for the victim and endangerment of future safety.
“The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi puts its efforts to encourage children-victims on speaking about the violence, but such interviews should be conducted in “screening rooms” and not in front of the TV cameras. The interview should be conducted in the presence of an expert team, consisted of a psychologist, social worker and representatives from the court and police. All of this is for the purpose of avoiding further victimizing and trauma of the child-victim. Family violence, just like any other form of abuse and violence represents a traumatic experience for the child-victim that often has permanent consequences” , states Megjashi.
Related article:
Megjashi reacts on recent TV interview with the child-victim
