LAHORE: The participants in a session on strengthening media engagement for improving child rights were of the view that the media can play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective implementation of children’s rights by fostering accountability and public awareness.

They said that media professionals can shed light on compliance with international commitments, the allocation of resources for child protection, and the performance of child-focused institutions through investigative journalism.

These critical issues were discussed during a media session jointly organised by Search for Justice and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), in collaboration with Kindernothilfe eV, in Lahore.

NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq emphasised the significance of responsible journalism in shaping child-focused policies and ensuring transparency. She highlighted that investigative media efforts can drive meaningful reforms and reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting children’s rights.

Ms Farooq stressed that strengthening the role of media in reporting on child rights issues can significantly contribute to holding institutions accountable and ensuring the effective implementation of child protection frameworks.

Search for Justice Executive Director Iftikhar Mubarik emphasised the need for legislative, administrative, and institutional measures to improve the current situation.

He stressed that child labour laws in the province must be implemented in their true letter and spirit.

Mubarik further emphasised the urgent need for targeted programmes to eradicate child labour across various occupations and industries.

He underscored the importance of a multi-sectoral approach, calling for a formal strategy where all relevant departments collaborate within their mandates to address child labour comprehensively.

Media professionals from various newspapers, television channels, and digital platforms proposed the establishment of a media network across various districts of Punjab to foster collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing among journalists.

They also called for the initiation of a Child Rights Media Fellowship to provide greater professional support for journalists covering child rights issues. Media personnel from Faisalabad and Multan emphasised the importance of capacity-building initiatives for regional journalists, particularly in child-sensitive reporting on cases involving abuse and gender-based violence against children and girls.

They highlighted that many regional journalists face barriers in accessing child rights-focused training programmes, which limits their ability to report accurately, ethically, and effectively on such critical issues.

They stressed that equipping journalists with specialised training and resources would lead to more informed, ethical, and impactful reporting on violations of children’s rights, ensuring that these pressing concerns receive the attention they deserve.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025