Childcare Guarantee For Future Of Entire Country: Jawaher Al Qasimi

SHARJAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Aug, 2018) The Child Safety Campaign, CSC, a subsidiary of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, has launched the "Responsible Media Safe Child" initiative, to reinforce the role of the media in protecting the rights of children.

Targeting all forms of media, including print, audio, visual, social and online, the Child Safety Campaign is calling on news outlets, commentators and influencers to uphold and improve standards when addressing issues involving children, and understand the importance of observing Emirati laws and regulations regarding the potential psychological, physical, and social impact that news content might have on a child’s future.

In a message to all members of Emirati society and media professionals in the UAE, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, said, "The well-being of children is a guarantee of the future of the whole of the UAE, and any disruption will adversely affect the nation’s human capital, obstruct its developmental agenda and the advancement of civilisation. We are all, therefore, responsible for ensuring that children are safe and cared for, whether as individuals, governments, private entities, or media professionals.

"Media organisations play an essential and honourable role in driving our development, and in shaping the mindsets of future generations. Today, this initiative reflects the significant cooperation and joint efforts between media and childcare organisations, and the UAE’s vision that rests on the principles of integration and complementarity in all initiatives and endeavours.

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The CSC has forged partnerships with a number of national and local media entities to develop a charter that ensures all newspapers, tv channels, radio stations and news websites adhere to a code of publishing conduct covering child-related topics, in terms of releasing images, Names, social status and other personal information.

The campaign has partnered with several entities and media organisations who support its goals, including the UAE Ministry of Community Development as a strategic partner; National Media Council; Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal Consultants; UAE Journalists’ Association; Consultative Council of Sharjah; Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Sharjah Baby-Friendly Office; Sharjah Press Club; Abu Dhabi Media; Dubai Media Incorporated; and Sharjah Media Corporation, among other media corporations across the UAE and digital news platforms.

Regarding the initiative, Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Department Director at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Head of the Organising Committee of the CSC, said, "The protection of children is one of the fundamental cornerstones in the UAE’s future, and we are dedicated to launching and implementing initiatives that ensure children’s safety at all levels, in line with the vision and directives of Sheikha Jawaher."