Concern in Croatia over Lack of Observance of Children Privacy Rights by the Media

The Croatian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare expressed its concern yesterday, July 14, over the manner in which the media report on cases of criminal offences against children and young adults. According to the Ministry, the media violate the right to privacy, guaranteed and protected by the Convention on the Rights of Children and national legislation. Croatian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare concerned over media coverage of child-abuse cases On July 12, a meeting was held at the Ministry in which the participants expressed their concern over the fact that the media don’t observe the right to privacy of the children victimized in abuse cases in Social Care centres in Croatia. The meeting was called by Dorica Nikolic, the State Secretary for Social Welfare. Mladen Bajic, the State Attorney, Ivica Franic, Director of Police, Zeljko Cvrtila from the Criminal Police, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare participated in the meeting. The meeting discussed the cooperation of various state institutions and bodies, with the aim to improve the investigation and sanctioning of offences against children. The meeting resulted from the great media attention and public interest in the situation in public social care centres. While the Ministry continues to appreciate the contributions of the media, it warned that the media are obligated to provide the information to the public in a manner that won’t endanger and violate children’s rights and interests.

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