Abstract:
The objective of this research is to study the violation of children who fall victims to abuse from newspapers publication according to the Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act B.E. 2550 (2007) and to study the measures taken to protect them from and/or correct any violation of their rights against newspaper publication. The research is performed using (a) the study method from document data, (b) qualitative research by studying issues in 2009 of 6 newspapers including Matichon Newspaper, Siamrath Newspaper, Thairath Newspaper, Daily News Newspaper, Banmueang Newspaper, and Naew Nah Newspaper, and (c) comprehensive interview of 3 scholars and 3 professional newspapers regarding laws governing children and adolescents. Results of the study of the 6 newspapers found that news articles and news photographs had violated childrens rights 297 times. Thairath Newspaper violated the law 74 times; Banmueang Newspaper 70 times; Daily News Newspaper 45 times; Matichon Newspaper 43 times; Naew Nah Newspaper 39 times; and Siam Rath 26 times. It is found that the violation consists of giving names, surnames, address and the educational institution of children. To protect childrens rights and to remedy violations of the law by newspapers and newsmen, journalists should be advised of the legal implications and consequence of violating the law. Seminars may be organized to exchange knowledge and journalists and newspapers must be required to work within a specified and clear ethical framework violations of which will be punishable.