(Lack of) Media Policy for Child Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nermina Mujagic Nela Kacmarcik Sabina Zunic

Transcription

1 (Lack of) Media Policy for Child Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina Nermina Mujagic Nela Kacmarcik Sabina Zunic

2 Contents: Child Rights and Media Media Regulation, Media Governance and Media Literacy Self-regulation as a mechanism of media policy Why BiH needs Media Policy for Child Protection? Biggest problems children in BiH are facing Recent news highlights affecting children in BiH Children and Their Rights in the News Conclusions Recommendations (work in progress)

3 Child Rights and Media UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 19) : Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educationalmeasures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 13) The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 17) States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.

4 Theory of media regulation Definitions: Regulation: deliberate state influence covering all state actions designed to influence industrial or social behavior (Baldwin & Cave 1999) Media regulation: rules concerning mass communication that are deployed on media organizations to achieve specified policy goals (Puppis&Haenens, 2012; Freedman, 2008) Three models of media regulation distinguished historically (Pool, 1983) are called into question by convergence print model common carrier model broadcast model

5 Media Governance Definition: refers to the regulatory structure as a whole, i.e. the entirety of forms of rulesthat aim to organize media systems (Puppis, 2010) Global level Governance vertical extension Regional level Statutory Regulation Government Co-Regulation Self-Regulation horizontal extension

6 Media Literacy Media literacy is generally defined as the ability to access the media, to understand and to critically evaluate different aspects of the media and media contents and to create communications in a variety of contexts. Media literacy relates to all media, including television and film, radio and recorded music, print media, the Internet and all other new digital communication technologies. It is a fundamental competence not only for the young generation but also for adults and elderly people, for parents, teachers and media professionals. Media literacy is today considered an important factor for active citizenship in today's information society. Communications Regulatory Agency BiH(2009)

7 What is a Child Protection Media Policy? Socially responsible media, acting primarily for the public good rather than for the commercial and profit goals, work towards establishing and strengthening an institutional mechanism to promote child wellbeing in the media. Democratization and globalization combined with the development of technology create positive opportunities for child participation and access to information However, the information blizzard (Boudrillard)creates a problem of making sense of information with some negative processes such as violation of privacy and dignity, security risks, as well as stigmatization or marginalization of children in media contents Aware of the crisis of democratic institutions, media are stepping in to reaffirm its education role, strengthening its social responsibility towards the most vulnerable members of society, including children.

8 Media Policy instruments Advocate for the harmonization of the legislation with EU and international standards Make available child-friendly programmes Specific child-friendly media channels, social media for children etc Public campaigns, including the commercial media, sponsorships for child-friendly events and contents Recognition of child-friendly journalists, media awards, life-long education (Master programmeon Child Rights) Regulation of the content within the advertising minutes

9 COUNTRY CONTEXT

10 District Brcko Federation of BiH 51% of territory 62% of the population 10 cantons Republika Srpska 49% of territory 38% of the population

11 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - POLITICAL STRUCTURE BOSNIAK SERB CROAT OTHER FBIHBASED PARTIES RS BASED PARTIES BiH PARLIMENTARY ASSEMBLY Chairman rotation every 8 months HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 42 DELEGATES: 28 FBiH, 14 RS DENIS BEČIREVIĆ Deputy MILORAD ŽIVKOVIĆ Deputy BOŽOLJUBIĆ Chairman SDP SNSD HDZ90 HOUSE OF PEOPLES 15 DELEGATES: 5 CROAT, 5 BOSNIAK, 5 SERBS OGNJEN TADIĆ Chairman DRAGANČOVIĆ Deputy SULEJMAN TIHIĆ Deputy SDS HDZ SDA Approves Delegated by FBiHHouse of Peoples (Croats& Bosniaks) & RS National Assembly(Serbs) BiHTRIPARTITE PRESIDENCY Mandated: 4 years / Chairman rotation every 8 months MEMBER MEMBER CHAIRMAN ŽELJKO KOMŠIĆ SDP NEBOJŠA RADMANOVIĆ SNSD BAKIR IZETBEGOVIĆ SDA BiH COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (Constitutional requirement-2/3 ministers from FBiH& 1/3 ministers from RS) CHAIRMAN VJEKOSLAV BEVANDA HDZ Nominates SDP SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY BiH SNSD (Zlatko Lagumdžija) ALLIANCE OF INDEPENDENT SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS (Milorad Dodik) PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC ACTION SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY SDA SDS (Sulejman Tihić) (MladenBosić) CROATIAN PARTY OF RIGHTS SOCIALISTIC PARTY HSP SP (Zvonko Jurišić) (Petar Đokić) PEOPLE S DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE S PARTY NSRB DNS ALLIANCE (MladenIvanković Lijanović) (Marko Pavić) CROAT. DEMOCRATIC UNION 90 HDZ90 NDS (Božo Ljubić) CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION HDZ (Dragan Čović) SBB ALLIANCE FOR BETTER FUTURE (Fahrudin Radončić) LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY LDS (Amir Husarić) SDU SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC UNION (Nermin Pećanac) BiH Patriotic Party BPS (Sefer Halilović) BOSS BOSNIAN PARTY (Mirnes Ajanović) PEOPLE S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (Krsto Jandrić) FEDERATION BiH MINISTRY FOREIGN AFFAIRS(DEPUTY) FINANCE & TREASURY (DEPUTY) CIVIL AFFAIRS HRs & REFUGEES COMMUNICATION & TRANSPORTATION FOREIGN TRADE & ECONOMIC RELATIONS SECURITY DEFENCE JUSTICE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA MINISTER ZLATKO LAGUMĐIJA SDP NIKOLA SPIRIĆ SNSD SREDOJE NOVIĆ SNSD DAMIR LJUBIĆ HDZ90 DAMIR HADŽIĆ SDP MIRKO ŠAROVIĆ SDS FAHRUDIN RADONČIĆ SBB ZEKERIJAH OSMIĆ SDP BARIŠA ČOLAK HDZ DEPUTY ANATRIŠIĆ-BABIĆ SNSD EDITA ĐAPO SBB DENISA SARAJLIĆ- MAGLIĆ SDP RADMILA MITROVIC SDS RUDO VIDOVIĆ HDZ ERMINA SALKIČEVIĆ -DIZDAREVIĆ SDP MLADEN ĆAVAR SDP MIRKO OKOLIĆ MARTINA PENDEŠ SDS HDZ SRĐAN RADULJ DNS FBIH TRIPARTITE PRESIDENCY 3 Constitute Peoples / No rotation Nominates FBiHGOVERNMENT (Constitutional requirement - 8 Bosniak-ministers, 5 Croatministers & 3 Serb-ministers) RS GOVERNMENT (Constitutional requirement -8 Serb-ministers, 5 Bosniak-ministers & 3 Croat-ministers) RS TRIPARTITE PRESIDENCY 3 Constitute Peoples / No rotation / Directly elected ŽIVKO BUDIMIR President HSP PRIME MINISTER NERMIN NIKŠIĆ SDP PRIME MINISTER ŽELJKA CVIJANOVIĆ SNSD Nominates MILORAD DODIK President SNSD Elects SVETOZAR PUDARIĆ Vice-president MIRSAD KEBO Vice-president FBiH PARLIMENTARY ASSEMBLY No chairing rotation HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Directly elected 98 DELEGATES FEHIM ŠKALJIĆ Chairman MIRA GRGIĆ Deputy TOMO VIDOVIĆ Deputy SBB HOUSE OF PEOPLES 58 DELEGATES: 17 CROATS, 17 BOSNIAKS, 17 SERBS, 7 OTHERS RADOJE VIDOVIĆ Chairman HDZ SDP SDA JASMIN SMAILBEGOVIĆ SDP SDP Deputy SDP TBD Deputy Approves Delegated proportionally by Cantonal Assemblies MINISTRY OF INTERIOR PREDRAG KURTEŠ SDP MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ZORAN MIKULIĆ SDP MINISTRY OF FINANCE ANTE KRAJINA HSP MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINING & INDUSTRY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY OF LABOR &SOCIAL POLICY MINISTRY OF DISPLACED PERSONS & REFUGEES ERDAL TRHULJ ENVER BIJEDIĆ VJEKOSLAV ČAMBER ADIL OSMANOVIĆ SDA SDP HSP SDA MINISTRY OF ISSUES OF VETERANS ZUKANHELEZ SDP MINISTRY OF HEALTH RUSMIR MESIHOVIĆ SDP MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE DAMIR MAŠIĆ SDP MINISTRY OF CULTURE ANDSPORTS SALMIR KAPLAN SDA MINISTRY OF TRADE MILORAD BAHILJ NSRB MINISTRY OF SPATIALPLANNING MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE, WATER MANAGEMENT AND FORESTRY MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & CRAFTS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT DESNICA RADIVOJEVIĆ SDA (DPM) JERKO IVANKOVIĆ NSRB LIJANOVIĆ (DPM) SANJIN HALIMOVIĆ BRANKA ĐURIĆ SDA SDP MINISTRY OF INTERIOR RADISLAV JOVIČIĆ SNSD MINISTRY OF JUSTICE GORANA ZLATKOVIĆ SP MINISTRY OF FINANCE ZORAN TEGELTIJA SNSD MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINING & INDUSTRY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY OF LABOR & VETERANS- DISABLED PROTECTION MINISTRY OF REFUGEES & DISPLACED PERSONS MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION & LOCAL SELF-GOVERNANCE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL PROTECTION MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE ŽELJKO KOVAČEVIĆ NEDELJKO ČUBRILOVIĆ PETAR ĐOKIĆ DAVOR ČORDAŠ LEJLA REŠIĆ SLOBODAN STANIĆ GORAN MUTABDŽIJA SNSD DNS SP HDZ DNS SNSD SNSD MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY JASMIN KOMIĆ (DPM) N/A MINISTRY OFECONOMIC RELATIONS & REG. COOPERATION MINISTRY OF SPATIALPLANNING, ENGINEERING & ECOLOGY MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE, WATER MANAGEMENT AND FORESTRY IGOR VIDOVIĆ SREBRENKA GOLIĆ STEVO MIRJANIĆ SNSD SNSD SNSD MINISTRY OF FAMILIES, YOUT & SPORTS NADA TEŠANOVIĆ (DPM) SNSD MINISTRY OF TRADE AND TOURISM MAIDA IBRIŠAGIĆ-HRSTIĆ SNSD Approves Delegated by the respective Delegates Clubs of National Assembly NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Directly elected 83 DELEGATES IGOR RADOJIČIĆ Chairman SNJEŽANA BOŽIĆ Deputy RAMIZ SALKIĆ Deputy PREDRAG GLUHAKOVIĆ Deputy RS PARLIMENTARY ASSEMBLY No chairing rotation SNSD SDS SDA SP EMIL VLAJKIN Vice-president ENES SULJKANOVIĆ Vice-president COUNCIL OF PEOPLES 28 DELEGATES: 8 SERBS, 8 BOSNIAKS, 8 CROATS, 4 OTHERS MOMIR MALIĆ Chairman DRAGO VIDOVIĆ Deputy MIROSLAV MIKEŠ Deputy MIRSAD ĐAPO Deputy NDS SDP SNSD N/A SNSD SDP

12 CHALLENGES Repeated Political Crisis(EU potential candidate country) Lack of in-depth reforms Fragmentation Lack of harmonization(laws, policies) Inequities in services and benefits Increasing frustration Discrimination (by Constitution)

13 Bosnia and Herzegovina in numbers Population: approx. 3.5 mill (estimate) GDP growth: 0.4% (2013, WB) GDP per inhabitant in PPS for 2012 = 28% of the EU average (2012) Unemployment: 28%, constantly rising Youth unemployment: 63% In 2011 every 6 th household in BiHwas poor

14 Situation of Children and their families

15 Poverty and Social Exclusion in BiH Relative poverty 17.2% (2011) Absolute poverty 23.4% (vs 18.6% in 2007) 58% at risk of poverty or social exclusion (most vulnerable: families with children, returnees, displaced, peoplewith disabilities, Roma, elderly, youth) Children: 57% of children are poor on at least one of the four indicators: relative consumption poverty, material deprivation, housing deprivation and overcrowding Absolute child poverty rate 30.5 (2011), up from (2007) Relative child poverty rate 19.4 (2011), up from 18.8 (2007)

16 Infant and Under 5 mortality rates Unfinished Agenda Equity Gaps

17 Immunisation coverage (children aged months) The percentage for immunisation coverage of children aged months includeschildren that have received the BCG vaccine, 3 doses of the DPT vaccine and 3 doses of the polio vaccine by 12 months and the MMR vaccine by 18 months of age.

18 Attendance at early childhood education (36-59 months)

19 % of children with disabilities in residential care 67%

20 Why BiHneeds a Child Protection Media Policy? Exposure of children to the media Media stigmatization and generating spectacle with children (reporting in negative context, invisibility, commercial distortion, instant celebrities ) System weakness (fragmentation, diffusion of responsibility, Council for Children children not represented, symbolic and weak significance) Economic situation reflected in the Media (floods as an additional burden, prolonged crisis, civil unrest and demonstrations) Weaknesses in the Education system (protests, divided realities, question of quality)

21 Children s media consumption CHILDREN S MEDIA CONSUMPTION IN THE LAST MONTH, N=1,033 Types of media contents most likely to be consumed: TV films and sports, Internet social networks and YouTube, Radio music, Newspapers entertainment and sports sections.

22 Biggest problems children in BiHare facing

23 Media landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina Public services (3 TV and 3 radio stations) 43 TV stations 141 radio stations Increasing influence of internet and social media Media market underdeveloped, funding limited Lack of trust Political/commercial influences

24 Recent highlights

25 Baby Revolution

26 Ethnic minority rights

27 Floods in May 2014

28 Impact on children and families

29 Stigmatization some examples Children in conflict with the law Publicity of evil generates public interest and instead of preventing violence and delinquency, it makes it popular Sometimes media oversteps the line presuming the guilt or commenting the court decisions

30 Children and Their Rights in the News Topics of interest for child rights (Based on CRC Committee Recommendations for Bosnia and Herzegovina) Legislation, Policy framework, coordination for CRC implementation Council for Children Best interest of the Child Budgeting for children and harmonization of social benefits Data collection and child-rigths monitoring CRC promotion Violence against children Children in conflict with the law Child rights and business sector Segreggation in the education, discrimination Child participation, right to privacy Provisionof health services Family environment, adoption Birth registration Media interest and Coverage Low interest, insignificant coverage Not visible in the media Insufficient media understanding Low coverage and insufficient media understanding (political influences) Low coverage Low coverage andinsufficient media understanding Often unprofessional and sensationalistic Often unprofessional and sensationalistic No coverage (commercial influences) Often unprofessional and sensationalistic Insufficient media understanding Oftenunprofessional and insensitive Insufficient media understanding, often unprofessional and sensationalistic reporting Insufficient media understanding(exception: Baby revolution)

31 Conclusion Despite the well-developed legislation, guidelines, recommendations and policies to regulate the media, the general feeling is that this area still lacks a formal framework to strengthen the media responsibility towards protecting child rights Horizontally (public and professional awareness on importance of child rights) Vertically (institutionalization of child rights in all media policies) Media institutionalization of child rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina is yet to be fully developed, in terms of: 1. Reporting on children (their living situation) 2. Education on child rights and CRC advocacy 3. Media contents prepared with and for children

32 Recommendations (work in progress) Master programme on Child Rights Journalists UNICEF s Media Award CRA and Press Council child safety on internet Public Broadcasting legislation -implementation Professional associations and civil society Research and recommendations