Why does Tageslage have a dedicated policy for minors?
Children and young people require heightened protection because of their vulnerability and the lasting impact that media coverage can have on their development and privacy. Tageslage Media Ltd. publishes Swedish news for a broad audience, including readers under 18, and we recognise that reporting on minors demands exceptional care. This policy sets clear standards for all editorial staff and ensures that every decision involving a minor is made with their best interests as the primary consideration, in line with Swedish law and international journalism ethics.
Our approach is guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Swedish Press Council’s ethical rules. We never treat minors as news commodities; instead we weigh the public interest against the potential harm to the child. This policy applies to all content – text, images, video, and audio – produced or commissioned by Tageslage, whether published on tageslage.de or distributed through partners. Every editorial contributor, including freelancers, must be familiar with these rules before working on any story involving individuals under 18.
Who reviews content involving minors?
Sophie Lehmann, our Ansvarig för faktagranskning (Standards Lead), personally reviews every article, photograph, or multimedia piece that features or names a minor before publication. She works alongside the responsible editor and can be reached at emma.sandberg@tageslage.de or +46 8 525 030 66. Her role ensures that all safeguarding considerations are met and that the editorial team has documented consent or a clear public-interest justification. For high-risk stories – for example, those involving family courts, child protection, or victims of crime – Sophie must give explicit written approval, and the piece may also be reviewed by an external child-welfare advisor.
This additional layer of oversight is part of our broader Editorial Policy, which commits us to transparency and accountability. Sophie’s authority extends to post-publication changes: if a reader or a child’s guardian raises a concern, she leads the investigation and decides on corrections or removals. Our team page lists all editorial staff, and queries about minor-related content can always be directed to complaints@tageslage.de.
What principles guide our coverage of children?
We prioritise consent, privacy, and minimising harm above all other considerations. A child’s parent or legal guardian must give informed, verifiable permission before we publish any identifying information – including full name, school, home address, or image – unless there is an overriding public interest that cannot be satisfied otherwise. In cases of alleged abuse, court proceedings, or sensitive health conditions, we anonymise the child by default and never use images that could lead to identification.
Our reporters avoid stereotyping or sensationalising children’s experiences. We do not interview children without an adult present, and we explain their role in the story in age-appropriate language before seeking their assent. If a child expresses discomfort or withdraws consent, we remove the material immediately. We also take special care when covering children who are refugees, belong to minority groups, or have disabilities – ensuring that our reporting does not exacerbate stigma or put them at risk.
What you can expect from us
You can expect that every story involving a minor will have been examined by at least two senior editors and by Sophie Lehmann, our Standards Lead. We will not publish information that could expose a child to bullying, danger, or long-term reputational harm, and we will always seek to use the least intrusive language and visuals possible. When we identify a mistake – whether a factual error, a privacy breach, or a lack of proper consent – we correct it promptly and transparently, and we notify the affected family directly.
Our commitment extends beyond the newsroom: we train all staff and contributors annually on child safeguarding, and we require external suppliers (such as photographers and data processors) to agree to equivalent standards. We also review this policy every year and update it to reflect changes in legislation, technology, or best practice. If you believe we have fallen short, please tell us – we take every concern seriously and will act promptly to put things right.
How do we handle mistakes involving minors?
If we discover an error in any content that involves a minor – such as a wrong name, an unauthorised image, or an inaccurate account of their situation – we immediately remove the material from public view and begin an internal review led by Sophie Lehmann. The review examines how the mistake occurred and whether consent or ethical guidelines were breached. Within 24 hours we issue a correction notice on the article and, where appropriate, contact the child’s family with a direct apology.
Our Corrections Policy and Complaints Procedure provide full details on how we rectify errors and handle formal complaints. For minors, we give priority to speed and sensitivity: we will not wait for a complaint to be filed before acting. If you see content that you believe violates this policy, please email complaints@tageslage.de or contact Sophie Lehmann directly. We treat all reports confidentially and will acknowledge receipt within two business days.
Questions or concerns?
Any questions about how we protect minors in our journalism, or concerns about specific content, should be sent to our complaints desk at complaints@tageslage.de. You can also reach Sophie Lehmann, Standards Lead, at emma.sandberg@tageslage.de or +46 8 525 030 66. For general contact, please use our contact page. We are committed to responding thoughtfully and promptly, and to ensuring that every minor featured in our reporting is treated with the dignity and care they deserve.