Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, May 21: “It is necessary to take precautions while reporting news under POCSO Act. The names, address or identity of the victimised boy or girl should not be published in the media. There is a provision to file cases against the media if they commit a mistake,” said Udupi district and sessions court FTSC-1 Pocso judge Srinivas Suvarna.

He was speaking after inaugurating the workshop on Pocso Act and media for journalists in Udupi held at Udupi Patrika Bhavan on Tuesday, May 21.

“Pocso Act was launched in 2012 and special provisions are made in it for children below 18 years of age. Special police personnel, especially women, should investigate the case and only lady doctors should conduct the examinations. The victims should not be brought to the contact of the public,” he said.

“The hearing of Pocso cases should be held in special courts. The medical officers should inform the police if a victim girl becomes pregnant. Those who have information about the atrocities should inform the officials concerned. They too will be considered as accused otherwise,” he said.

“Investigations should be concluded within 30 days. The court hearing should be over within a year. As Pocso cases are more in rural areas, the media should give more publicity to them,” he opined.

“The constitution was implemented several decades ago but the basic rights and facilities have not reached the people. Atrocities against girls have continued despite extending facilities for girls in law. Pocso cases are on the rise because of lack of legal knowledge,” he said.

Chief guest, member of Udupi district legal services authority, secretary and judge Sharmila S said use of mobile phones are the main cause of rise in Pocso cases. “The parents should keep a watch on its excessive use by the children. The friendship that starts by chatting on the mobile ends with sex,” she said.

“There is also misuse of Pocso cases which is a crime. The media that is the mirror of society should make those things reach the people. They should understand the sensitivity of the subject while reporting,” she said.

Pocso court special public prosecutor Y T Raghavendra tabling the subject said that the accused under the Pocso Act can be imprisoned for up to 20 years as per the Act passed in 2012 and even sentenced to death as per its amendment in 2019. “Section 23 is formed specially for the media. The media can publish the names of the concerned police station instead of the name of the victim. The permission of the special court should be obtained if mentioning the name of the victim is unavoidable,” he said.

“The reporter, news readers, editors and owners of the media will be legally liable for punishment if they publish the names of the victims. Publishing fake news also is a crime. It is the responsibility of the media to inform the society of the false news and prevent its misuse,” he said.