Violation of Section 10 of the Childcare & Protection Agency Act CAP 46:07

The Ministry of Social Protection, through the Childcare & Protection Agency, again brings to the attention of all Media Houses section ten of the Childcare & Protection Agency Act which continues to be violated by identifiable Media Houses. This section states as follows: –

Under section 10 (2) of the Childcare and Protection Agency Act, Chapter 46:07, “no person shall publish any information relating to proceedings relating to children (see sub-sections 10 (1), (3) and (4) Cap 46:07 for clarity) in a manner that discloses the name of the child or any information from which the child’s identity may be inferred, including information on persons connected to the child.”

Section 10 (6) Cap 46:07 further provides “anyone who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars (GY$250,000.00) and to imprisonment for six (6) months”.

The Ministry of Social Protection would therefore seek to implore Media Houses to be cognisant of the legislation relating to the protection of the rights, privacy and welfare of children and to desist from any practices which include the publishing of information, whether via television, radio, social media or print, that can lead to the identification of children involved in proceedings otherwise than as specified in section 10 (4) of the Childcare and Protection Agency Act, Chapter 46:07.

It should be noted failure to act in accordance with this provision will cause The Ministry of Social Protection through its Childcare and Protection Agency to bring legal proceedings against any Media House for non-compliance with the provision set out thereof.