Malta’s press law lacks provisions regulating the way children are portrayed in the media, according to Children’s Commissioner Helen D’Amato.

She said her office raised this issue with legislators and hoped changes would soon be made to the law.

Ms D’Amato was speaking during a seminar on the portrayal of children in the media organised, in collaboration with Unicef, on the eve of World Children’s Day.

Daniel Mercieca, a drama therapist with children in out-of-home care, said children could be re-traumatised through media coverage.

Media lecturer Joe Borg said audiences should share in the responsibility of the media ethics debate.