Tue Sep 16 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article rewrite:
**Summary:**
A media sensitization workshop, organized by the Child in Need Institute (CINI) in Kolkata, emphasized the importance of ethical and responsible reporting on children’s issues. Experts cautioned journalists against careless disclosures that could harm or traumatize children, highlighting the need to protect their dignity, privacy, and identity. Speakers stressed adherence to laws like the Juvenile Justice Act and the POCSO Act, emphasizing that consent is paramount in ethical reporting. The workshop urged journalists to shift away from exploitation and pity stories, focusing instead on tales of resilience and avoiding the retraumatization of children through repeated narratives of abuse. The event aimed to promote a deeper understanding of the moral obligations of journalists in safeguarding children’s well-being and upholding the integrity of the media.
**News Article:**
**Kolkata Workshop Urges Media Sensitization on Child Safeguarding**
**Kolkata, September 16, 2025:** A workshop held in Kolkata yesterday, organized by the Child in Need Institute (CINI), called for greater media sensitivity and responsibility when reporting on issues involving children. Experts warned that even seemingly innocuous details can inadvertently expose children to harm and lifelong trauma.
The workshop brought together social workers, media professionals, and child rights advocates to discuss the legal and moral obligations of journalists. Participants emphasized that while refraining from publishing names and blurring faces is a common practice, seemingly harmless indicative details can still compromise a child’s identity.
“When we write about children, we must ensure they do not face physical or mental harassment,” said Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, founder of CINI. “Their dignity, privacy, and identity must always be protected.”
CINI CEO Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya reminded journalists that laws like the Juvenile Justice Act and the POCSO Act are not merely legal requirements, but moral ones. “Consent is not optional—it is central to ethical reporting,” she stated.
Concerns were raised about the pressure to produce viral content, which can sometimes lead to journalists coaxing children into saying things they may later regret, potentially creating false narratives. Retired IAS officer and child rights worker Nilanjana Dasgupta highlighted that even suggestive details could stigmatize children, causing backlash at school or at home.
The panel also advocated for a shift in focus from “pity stories” to narratives of resilience, warning that repeated accounts of abuse can retraumatize children.
The workshop concluded with a call for introspection within the media, emphasizing that responsible journalism is vital for protecting minors and maintaining the credibility of the profession.
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