Of Children In The Media

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Of Children In The Media

ARCHIVES 2010

Thursday, 18 March 2010 admin-s

By Shazeera Ahmad Zawawi

Spurred by the recent reporting of the underage “marriage” of an 11-year old girl to a 41-year old man in Kelantan, Malaysia, this is a deliberation on principles for ethical reporting on children, or rather the lack of it, and the child’s rights and welfare.

I was on my way to work today when I stole some sleepy glances at the Harian Metro that the passenger in front of me was reading and saw the picture of a young girl on the front page. I gasped. She is the 11-year old girl, Siti Saman Mat Ail, who was allegedly married to a 40-year old man in Kelantan. Harian Metro reported on how she was abducted by her “husband” and was later found.

The underage marriage was already a shocker, but how the press is treating the news without due consideration to the best interest of the child is even scarier.

What if Siti Saman is my own Safra? What would I feel, being exposed to the public in such way? Was any preliminary consent and discussion made with the mother with regard to exposing her daughter’s identity in public? By the way, how would Siti Saman feel at the moment? It is unashamedly accepted that sensational news involving sex scandals, erotic descriptions, and mystical elements universally sell – but at the expense of the safety, security and welfare of a child?

This is not the first time that I am appalled at how the media carelessly carry information pertaining to the identity and private information of children caught in situations that jeopardize their safety, dignity and livelihood. If Siti Saman is still missing, then publishing her picture in the press and media is essential for public to report to the authorities or provide information on her whereabouts. But since she has already been found, she needs her personal space and privacy in order to recover physically and mentally after what had happened.

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Comments (5) Add Comment

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written by popuri, March 20, 2010 03:40:54

This is absolutely sick. What kind of parents marry off their 11 year old daughter to a dirty old man, don't tell me this is another religion thing, cause you know what. F*ck religion. I know this does not only happened in Malaysia, but all over the world esp in Muslim countries. This is absurd, and very disturbing.

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written by Angela Ooi, March 19, 2010 12:13:53

I am sick, sick to my stomach. I thought we are living in the modern world where children are allowed to be children and not some sexual toy of an old man. It is obscene that such a thing can happen in this day and age. Where are all the sane decent Muslims, what are you all going to do about this? Please do not hold your peace on this!!

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written by Fart Fart Wah, March 19, 2010 02:38:44

The child needs to be protected..I agree but the root of the problem must be addressed. Many a time sex is over rated in Islam as right of the husband. In fact there are many marital rapes which are not being published for fear of retribution. Why was this (SOB) allowed to marry a young girl? In order to fulfill his lust or sexual overdrive?? Islam teaches restrain and self-control but in reality it is not practised. You can see the divorce rates and the number of time Leaders in UMooNo who are involved in scandals..the latest being Altuntaya..it is definitely sex related. Child marriages exist all over the world. They need to be stopped. As long as we have (SOB) like this guy pedophiles will have a hay day. The most number of child marriages exist in Islam..( check it out ..Iran, Palestine, Parts of India, Pakistan and the African countries.. It has to be stopped first. Selling children for sex should be stopped. Guys who are involved in this should be exterminated immediately. The story that the prophet did marry a young 9 year old girl Aishah should be verified and made public and discussed openly..not covered up as untrue...for these guys might argue the case as it is their right since the prophet did take one. Culture plays an important part. We do not know many things and practices during the prophet' time. WE have to be sure as to why it happened if it did happen? and then stop what is not right..with the understanding that he will not do it or allow if he is living now. If it was mistake...so be it...God uses mistakes to show us that we can change and be better. He makes good things come out of bad things. We take the good things and make it bad. As such all women should be educated not to sanction this and speak out loudly against it..The Muslim World should ..if it cannot agree in one voice over other things in Islam...at least ..I plead....agree that no child should be made to go through this hell.......