Ariticle17Access to information
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties shall:
- Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;
- Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;
- Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;
- Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;
- Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of articles 13 and 18.
This Article recognizes that the mass media (newspapers, television, etc.) are valuable sources of information and knowledge for children and that their articles and programs are important for their mental and moral development, and establishes the rights of children to these sources. It also stipulates five specific items that States Parties must do as follows.
- Recommends that the mass media disseminate information and materials that meet the ethos of Article 29 (provisions on education) of this Convention, considering the social and cultural benefits of the mass media for children.
- Encourage international co-operation to promote news coverage and publication that is beneficial to children, including a variety of information from around the world, such as diverse cultural information.
- Recommend making and distributing children's books.
- Recommend that the mass media consider and meet the language needs of ethnic minority and aboriginal children.
- Recommend developing guidelines to protect children from harmful information such as excessive violent expressions, dangerous drugs, and online dating websites, paying attention to Article 13 of this Convention (on freedom of access to and dissemination of information) and Article 18 (on primary parental responsibility for maintenance), i.e. taking care not to violate children's right to know and parents' right to educate their children.