Engaging the media for child protection-How, benefits and challenges: Experiences of ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter

Introduction: The African Network for Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Uganda Chapter is a member of a Pan African Movement that engages the media to addressing the plight of children. We... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: The African Network for Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Uganda Chapter is a member of a Pan African Movement that engages the media to addressing the plight of children. We highlight experience of ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter in engaging with media, challenges encountered and suggestions for the future to enhance child protection.

Approach to media engagement: The key interventions of ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter’s approach include: capacity building for journalists and consultative meetings with media houses to promote positive reporting; holding press conferences, production of documentaries, radio and television spots on issues affecting children; production and distribution of Child link magazines and policy papers to media; staff participation in media talk shows and use of social media. ANPPCAN is a member of Uganda Child Rights NGO Network that organizes annual awards to recognize and inspire media houses and journalists involved in child protection in Uganda.

Benefits and challenges with media engagement: Engaging with media has heightened advocacy for rights and responsibilities of children and aids investigations on cases of child abuse and neglect. The media gives a voice to children and other actors to influence child friendly programmes and policies. Major challenges are: some sections of media often publish pornographic content which exposes children to sexual behaviors at an early age and some child survivors of abuse are not protected exposing them to secondary abusers. Children’s voices are rarely heard in media ‘paternal journalism’ and often children’s issues are overshadowed by politics and commercialization of media.

Conclusion: Engaging media is vital for changing the attitudes in any given society and hence the need for creating and strengthening partnership between media and child protection institutions. Emphasis should be put on code of conduct to guide media houses and giving children platform as actors in child protection.