Media can play a role of watchdog for proper implementation of the law that prevents and prohibits child marriage, opined UNICEF communication specialist Alka Gupta at a seminar held here on Thursday.
The ActionAid in collaboration with the UNICEF organised the seminar on “Role of Media in Combating Child Marriage”.Media can play a vital role in highlighting the issues related to child marriage and create public discourse on the intensity of the issues. The filed investigation is very vital in this context and the view of children can be included while sharing any stories related child marriage, added Gupta.
Noted filmmaker Sabyasachi Mahapatra said the child marriage is a social evil and, thus, requires collective efforts for elimination. A journalist needs to have social and human interest to take up this issue. The aspiration of children can be better realised through building education, added Mahapatra.
OSCPCR chairperson Kasturi Mahapatra said the issues of child marriage need to be taken up by the journalists as it violates the rights of children to live with dignity. While reporting on the issue, privacy should be given due importance, she said.
ActionAid programme officer BN Durga coordinated the programme and programme manager Puspasree Devi presented the context and objective of the programme.
Among others, BJB Journalism and Mass Communication Department head Nalini Patra, ActionAid programme manager Ghasiram Panda, senior programme officer Sudeshna Mishra were present.
Some journalists were felicitated for highlighting the issues related to child marriage.