Ethical Reporting on Children Real Scenario in Bangladesh Print Media

Negative representations of issues and events in media may affect the behavior and attitude of children (Gail Rule, Ferguson, 2010:29¿50). Several researchers have argued that there is a negative impact on children of negative representations by the media. Many newspapers in Bangladesh publish stories containing brutal violence and bloodied pictures. Children are often covered from negative angles. It was found that journalists have very low level of awareness about ethical standards in reporting on children. Many news stories and images present the violence perpetrated on children and by the children at length. Children are also presented as perpetrators of crimes. Such presentation may deter sympathy for children, as it not only presents them as victims, but also as perpetrators of the crimes reported.