Newsgathering, children and young people
We would normally expect to have the consent of a parent or guardian before using interviews or close up /clearly identifiable shots of a child or young person; particularly if the image shows potentially distressing or alarming circumstances. The younger and more vulnerable the child, and the more sensitive the subject matter, the more likely it is that consent is essential; examples would include where children are expressing views on matters of public controversy, or when the subject is anti-social behaviour.
An exception may be made where a contributor records vox pops with children on non controversial subjects such as pocket money or pop singers. We should also ensure, where the child is mature enough to give informed consent, that we have the child's consent to take part. Even where we have all relevant consents we must still consider if it is in the child's best interests to be featured before we decide to transmit the material.