The need for the elaboration of such recommendations is preconditioned by the fact that in recent times in TV programs of social talk shows occurs a violation of the rights of children participating in these shows. As a rule, social talk shows discuss problems that arise in different families, cases of domestic violence (including sexual violence against minors or sexual abuse), etc.
Discussing of certain situations in the lives of families and their children is carried out on the verge or in violation of the family and civil law, first of all of Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 24 of the Constitution of Ukraine concerning non-discrimination of the child and his/her parents, provisions of the law "On Television and Radio Broadcasting," journalism standards and norms of journalism ethics.
At a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy on December 23, 2015 Committee member, People’s Deputy of Ukraine Yurii Pavlenko presented elaborated together with First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, People's Deputy of Ukraine Olha Chervakova, and NGO "Telekritika” Recommendations on protecting children's rights by mass media.
Prior to the consideration at the meeting of the Committee, the above draft law was widely discussed by the public, including during a roundtable at the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting on the topic "Children on TV: how to cover and abide by the rules."
The Recommendations took into account proposals of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner Lutkovska V.V., President of Ukraine's Commissioner for the Rights of the Child Kuleba M.M., television companies, human rights organizations, media experts, and children psychologists. The Recommendations have already received support in national and international non-governmental organizations working in the interests of children, services in charge of children, and citizens of Ukraine.
Among other things, mass media were recommended take care of the physical and emotional health and dignity of the children participating in TV programs; pay due attention to protection of the rights of children - victims of any violence (especially of sexual); disclose not the names and information about the child.
The proposed recommendations will allow fulfilling the requirements of the legislation on childhood protection, such as banning the promotion in media of violence and inhumanity, dissemination of information that tramples human dignity and harms moral well-being of the child.