Dili, December 4, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Social Communication (SEKOMS) through the Press Council (KI) together with UNICEF Timor-Leste held a media orientation activity related to climate change and ethics of reporting children and women and the role of children in the media. This activity was held at the JL-Vila Hall, Fatuhada, on Tuesday.
Chairman of the Press Council, Otelio Ote, in his speech said that in early 2004, the issue of children’s rights became UNICEF’s focus for 20 years until 2024, especially for community radio to be very active in reviewing information on children’s rights, because they always work together with UNICEF as a sustainable partner.
He continued, regarding climate change related to children, children becoming victims, it is about protecting rights, in the media, what is important is how to create a context for reporting on children with their rights and girls, knowing very well how to report on children.
“I think many media here have participated in training from UNICEF on ethics of reporting children. Community radio itself has a program about children’s voices, including RTTL also has this program, I think there is nothing confusing, but newspapers and newly emerged streaming TV may have to comply because children’s issues sometimes also become a focus in coverage.” Said the Chairman of the Press Council
He added that sometimes journalists pay less attention to children’s basic rights, the four rights that we know, that’s why in the coverage plan, the concentration shows the important context to be used as news on several platforms, not paying much attention to sometimes children experiencing several incidents.
“I am very grateful to UNICEF for signing a memorandum of understanding with SEKOMS to raise children’s issues, KI as a strategic partner with SEKOMS to assist on how to collaborate to improve technical capacity especially in the scope to improve professional and intellectual capacity and also KI pays attention to this to accompany journalistic products that have been published on each platform.” He said.
He added, as we know, there is monitoring from the Department regarding media context analysis that always accompanies their production and there are several media that have received warnings regarding the use of inappropriate terms to be published as children’s news.
“I think this training is very important, on the topic of climate change, reporting on children and women, because community radio is usually very close to these issues, but the director has to serve the staff who work in the field, because I understand you are not working permanently, but some can work for three or six months, then they move, and these topics need to be well invested in the staff who are just joining you,” he said.
The KI Chairperson conveyed that newspapers, television and other private radio, not community radio, you must also pay attention to the topic of children and women, because the issue of children is a global issue, that is why UNICEF is always focused on Timor-Leste, always developing institutions and all partners to bring the issue of children and women into the culture in the media and in the lives of everyone and including our country.
“Thank you to UNICEF for facilitating this program through cooperation with SECOMS and we are waiting in 2025 if there can be training on climate change rights and reporting on children and women’s issues so that this program can be sustainable and can run for three or four months.” Said the President of KI
On the other hand, UNICEF representative in Timor-Leste, Patrisia Digiovanni in her remarks said that it was a privilege for the Secretary of State for Social Communications (SEKOMS), who led the National Promotion and Development of Local Social Communications workshop to collaborate with UNICEF to organize this two-day workshop on climate change, ethics of reporting on children and women, and the role of children’s participation in the media.
“We are very aware that the media has a vital role to play in reporting on injustices against children, raising public awareness of issues affecting children and encouraging serious efforts to achieve real positive change in children’s lives. The media is also to be commended for promoting opportunities for children’s voices so that others listen and take their voices seriously,” said UNICEF representative in Timor-Leste, Patrisia Digiovanni.
She continued, regarding this reason, UNICEF continues to work with the media to continue its support to the Timor-Leste government, including its contribution to emergencies such as COVID-19 and floods.
“UNICEF also greatly appreciates the work of the community radio stations, who are working hard to maintain the “Voice of Children” radio program produced by children and for children so that it can continue to give voice and advocate for children properly. I am sure that you have heard about how the global trend of climate change is affecting the climate models of the world and the environment, which we have received from our ancestors.” She added.
She added that almost all children in the world are currently affected by climate and environmental hazards such as heat, storms, air pollution, floods and water shortages. There are also significant extreme climate events related to climate in the East Asia and Pacific region, including adding an 11th warning for floods such as those that have recently occurred in Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
“The ND-GAIN vulnerability index, a global measure of a country’s vulnerability to climate disruption, ranks Timor-Leste 11th out of 111 out of 181 countries, meaning that our vulnerability to climate epidemics is high, but our protection against response is still very small,” She said.
She informed that in Timor Leste in April 2021, it caused a heavy burden for marginalized families and experienced a difficult process to improve their lives. Most of the people lost their lives in climate-related events and children’s rights were also not sufficiently safe.
“Every time there is a flood, drought or heatwave, children’s access to clean water, education, health care, food and safe housing is disrupted and marginalized communities are exposed to greater crises. Despite their unique vulnerabilities, children are largely ignored or overlooked in the response to climate change, including the way the media reports on climate-related events,” she explained.
In addition, this two-day meeting is an important opportunity for us to disseminate insights about the science, impacts and politics of climate change, learn how to identify and dispel climate misinformation, develop skills in developing data-driven histories and explore ways to incorporate voices and perspectives, including those of children and young people.
She further explained that UNICEF has compromised to continue collaboration with media partners to share information, promote children’s rights and provide support to the community through your platform, UNICEF also appreciates the support of several development partners such as the Chinese government and KOICA who support important interventions to reduce the impact of climate change on children’s lives. UNICEF hopes that there will be a strong and close collaboration with the media.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano