Shillong, April 17: The Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat has promulgated the implementation of laws for protecting children’s identity, under Sections 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), Section 228 A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 which prohibits newspaper, magazine, news-sheet or audio-visual media or other forms of communication from reporting or publishing of any matter which may disclose the identity of a child or of a person against whom an offence under Sections 376, 376A, 376B, 376C or 376D of the Indian Penal Code.
The Sections mentioned above states that,No reports shall be made on any child from any form of media or studio or photographic facilities without having a complete and authentic information, which may have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy.
No reports in media platform shall disclose any information or picture of a child including his name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or any other particulars which may lead to disclosure of identity of the child. No media shall print or publish any matter relating to any court proceeding section without obtaining prior permission of the concerned court.
Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the concerned court, competent to try the case under the Act, the Board or Committee holding the enquiry may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child.
Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Sections mentioned above shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of either description for a period which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to 2 years or with fine or with both.
