The Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR), led by Chairman Alun Hangsing, held a meeting with the Director and senior officials of the Department of Information & Public Relations at the Directorate of IPR on 20th May 2025. The meeting focused on strengthening child protection mechanisms, particularly with regard to the role of the media.
Chairman Alun Hangsing emphasized the media’s responsibility in ensuring the rights, dignity, and safety of children, especially in how they are portrayed and discussed in public forums. He noted that violations—whether intentional or due to a lack of awareness—can have long-term psychological and social impacts on children.
Akumla Longchari, Member of NSCPCR, elaborated on key legal frameworks governing child protection in the media, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which prohibits disclosure of the identities of children involved in abuse cases, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which mandates protection of children’s rights in all contexts, including media coverage.
Director of IPR, Dzuvinuo Theunuo, acknowledged the Commission’s insights and expressed the Department’s commitment to collaborating in order to uphold child protection standards across all public communication platforms. She stated that the Department would explore actionable steps to create a child-sensitive media environment in Nagaland, where children’s privacy is protected and their rights are upheld.
Also present at the meeting were Secretary of Social Welfare & Member Secretary of NSCPCR, Yongchingkumla; NSCPCR Member Aying Wangsha; and Legal Consultant Lichani Murry.