Media must play active role in tracing missing children: DC

Amritsar, Jan 15 (UNI) The media must play an important role in increasing public awareness about the plight of missing children and their families as stressed by the National Human Rights Commission.

Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said here today that in view of the current dreadful national scenario regarding missing children, the NHRC has made many recommendations and suggestions for media.

Endorsing the suggestions of the Commission, Mr Pannu said that it has been suggested that crime reporters and editors need to include the category of missing children as a regular beat and as the part of their daily news grind and such stories be followed up regularly just like other stories of murder, human trafficking etc.

A LOST and FOUND series could also be commenced.

The cases of missing children traced or returned home should be treated as "good news" stories which would also encourage the police and local authorities to step up their actions, he said.

Deputy Commissioner said that NHRC also suggested publishing a large picture story on the enormity of the continuing malaise of missing children coinciding with Human Rights Day, Children's Day etc. Newspapers can also make a separate section in their classified sections on missing children.

The notices and advertisements on missing children needed to be given more prominence and space in newspapers and TV bulletins.

Media organizations and media unions can collaborate with agencies like NHRC and other NGOs working on children's rights issues to hold seminars and symposiums on the subject to sensitise the public on the issue, he said.

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