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Reaction to the Association of Journalists of the Republic of Macedonia for the violation of the children’s privacy through articles published in printed media In mid February 2010, at the premises of the First Children's Embassy in the world Megjashi, concerned parent addressed us. From the interview conducted with the parent we found out that a text was published in the daily newspaper ‘’Shpic’’ where describing an event under the section daily news, described and discussed are details of the infant son of the plaintive and thus his right to privacy has been breached. In the submitted letter to the first children's Embassy in the world Megjashi, the parent explains that following the news published in the newspaper the child because of the unpleasant events and the published news was in shock and stopped going to school. The child fearing his classmates will despise him and that they will never see him in the same way same again. Also after publishing the news, his son’s day to day engagement with the world and motivation to perform activities previously carried out gladly in his free time suffered greatly, he became unmotivated and despondent. Again when asked why this was happening as a reason he quotes stress and the shame of ridicule.

After the letter and the submitted request from the concerned parent and in the interest of protecting children's rights the First Children's Embassy in the world Megjashi responded by addressing in writing the Ombudsman and the Association of Journalists of Republic of Macedonia.

Taking into account that misguided actions even with good intentions can cause harm to the child we pointed out that misguided actions such as those in this case result in the child being further stigmatized and victimised. In response to this case we highlighted:

- Article 16 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

1.   no child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.

2. child is entitled to legal protection against such interference or attacks;

Accordingly, to our reaction we received a response and feedback from the Ombudsman, who informed us that they have also addressed the issue with the Association of Journalists of Macedonia. The response stated that the Ombudsman is seeking form Council of honour to investigate the issue. The Council cares for the promotion of ethical principles, the criteria and standards of professionalism and responsible journalism set by the Code of Journalists of Macedonia and take necessary measures to investigate the case. 

If it is found that by publishing the article a violation of these principles (laid down in the Code of journalists) had occurred they will take appropriate measures against the journalist publishing a case, where according to the Ombudsman, he had unnecessarily involved the child, violating his right to privacy, honour and reputation.