Guidelines for reporting on children in sensitive situations developed

The organization "Friends of Children of Serbia" has created a practical guide for editors, journalists, and media workers. Titled "Guidelines for Reporting on Children in Sensitive Situations – An Operational Tool for Newsrooms," the document offers assistance in making ethical and professional decisions when covering stories involving children.

The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS), along with the Association of Journalists of Serbia and the Press Council, participated in the creation of these guidelines. They recommend that media outlets use the document, which is based on the core principles of the Journalists' Code of Serbia and international standards for child protection.

The guidelines are designed to provide concrete answers to ethical dilemmas. They aim to help protect children from secondary victimization, trauma, stigmatization, and sensationalism, while preserving their right to dignified public visibility. The document includes an operational tool and a newsroom checklist for internal review before publishing any content.

NUNS emphasized that the guidelines are not intended to restrict reporting but to help media professionals cover children, especially those in sensitive, crisis, or traumatic situations, in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner. "Professional integrity is measured by the attitude towards the most vulnerable. It is better to lose a story than to permanently mark someone's childhood," NUNS stated.

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Professional integrity is measured by the attitude towards the most vulnerable. It is better to lose a story than to permanently mark someone's childhood.