Restraint Urged Over Photos

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-NGAHIWI TOMOANA

Restraint Urged Over Photos - Statement From Ngati Kahungunu Chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.

Media are being asked by James Whakaruru's iwi to show restraint in publishing or broadcasting photos of his badly bruised body.

The appeal has been made today by Ngati Kahungunu Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana ahead of the release by the Commissioner for Children of a report on James' death.

There are two reasons why media should not show pictures of James' body again to accompany stories about the Commissioner's report, says Mr Tomoana.

"It offends our tradition to display such photos of Maori. We believe contact with the dead should be face to face, unless otherwise approved.

"Secondly, showing the photos repeatedly lacks sensitivity to James and members of his wider whanau.

"I would ask media people to think about whether they would like pictures of their relatives' dead bodies repeatedly put on display."

Mr Tomoana says the Commissioner for Children and the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services support his appeal.

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