Koforidua, Aug 3, GNA - The Executive Director of the Child's Rights International, Mr Bright Appiah, has expressed worry that the media were disregarding the rights and privacy of children. He said the Juvenile Justice Act clearly spelt out the protection and privacy of children in any matter for media publication and that must be upheld.

Mr Appiah told the GNA that the Act clearly stated that irrespective of the crime alleged to have been committed by a child, the child's privacy was paramount and in the process of making the crime public, the child's name and picture must not be used. He said the Juvenile Justice Act spelt out that every child under 18 years was a juvenile and must be treated as such and described as unfortunate the publishing of the name of the 14-year-old girl who was alleged to have murdered her father.

Mr Appiah said publishing of the girl's name by the two dailies as well as some radio stations constituted a violation of her right under the Act.

He said looking at the gravity of the crime allegedly committed by the girl, revealing her identity could pose a threat to her even if the law proves her not guilty of the offence. In view of that, he said, his outfit would pursue the issue with the National Media Commission. 03 Aug. 11