Expert Nada Zgrablic Rotar, who is acquainted with UNESCO projects in this segment, told a round table discussion which was held in Zagreb last Wednesday that journalists and owners of the Croatian media did not take enough care about children's rights to privacy and protection against harmful media contents.
In her opinion, Articles 13 and 17 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are being systematically violated. These segments of the convention regulate the communications rights of children.
Journalist Vladimir Lulic pointed out the problem of revealing a child's identity in cases when it is evidently proscribed.
In this context, reporters are advised not to treat tragic events involving children as sensationalist stories.
The Office of the Chief State Prosecutor has on several occasions warned about the violations of children's rights to privacy committed by media reports.
In October 2008, Croatia is expected to submit a detailed report on the matter to the UN Committee On Rights of the Child.
Ombudswoman Mila Jelavic recently informed the parliamentary committee on the Constitution and the political system that parents were complaining more and more about aggressive advertisements targeted at children.