$300K fine, prison time for exposing juveniles
July 7 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs is reminding media practitioners and members of the public that publishing information which identifies juveniles involved in legal proceedings is an offence under the law.
The reminder was issued by the Juvenile Justice Department, which highlighted protections provided under the Juvenile Justice Act 2018.
According to the Ministry, Section 100(1) of the Juvenile Justice Act 2018 prohibits the publication of the name or any information that identifies, or is likely to identify, a juvenile who is a party to, or otherwise concerned in, legal proceedings.
“These statutory protections are intended to safeguard the privacy, dignity and welfare of children who come into contact with the justice system,” the Ministry stated.
The Department further noted that Section 116 of the Act makes it an offence for anyone to breach Section 100(1), with persons found guilty liable on summary conviction to a fine of $300,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The Ministry said the unauthorised publication or sharing of a juvenile’s name, photograph, or other identifying details through print, broadcast, digital platforms or social media may constitute a breach of the law.
“The Department reminds all media practitioners and members of the public that compliance with the Act is essential to protecting the rights and interests of children involved in legal proceedings,” the statement said.
Media organisations, journalists, editors, content creators and members of the public are being urged to avoid sharing information that could directly or indirectly identify juveniles, while respecting their privacy, dignity and rights.
The Ministry also called for continued compliance with child protection laws and ethical reporting standards through regular training and review of reporting practices.
“Protecting children is a shared national responsibility. The Ministry calls on all stakeholders to uphold the law and ensure that the rights, privacy and identities of juveniles are protected at all times,” the statement concluded.
See full statement below:
” 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟕𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐉𝐔𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒
The Juvenile Justice Department, within the Ministry of Home Affairs, reminds all media practitioners and members of the public of their legal and ethical obligation to protect the identity of juveniles involved in legal proceedings.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝟬(𝟭) 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 expressly prohibits the publication of the name or any information that identifies, or is likely to identify, a juvenile who is a party to, or otherwise concerned in, legal proceedings. These statutory protections are intended to safeguard the privacy, dignity and welfare of children who come into contact with the justice system.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟏𝟔 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 further provides that every person who contravenes 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟎(𝟏) 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand Guyana dollars ($300,000.00) and to imprisonment for six (6) months.
The unauthorised publication or dissemination of a juvenile’s name, photograph, or any other identifying information—whether through print, broadcast, digital or social media—may constitute a breach of the 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴. The Department reminds all media practitioners and members of the public that compliance with the 𝗔𝗰𝘁 is essential to protecting the rights and interests of children involved in legal proceedings.
The Ministry therefore urges all media organisations, journalists, editors, content creators and members of the public to exercise the highest level of responsibility when reporting on matters involving children. Specifically, all stakeholders are encouraged to:
• Refrain from publishing or sharing any information that could directly or indirectly identify a juvenile involved in legal proceedings.
• Respect and protect the privacy, dignity and rights of every child, recognising the potentially lifelong consequences of unlawful disclosure.
• Ensure continued compliance with the 𝑱𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒕, applicable child protection legislation and established ethical standards through regular training and review of reporting practices.
Protecting children is a shared national responsibility. The Ministry calls on all stakeholders to uphold the law and ensure that the rights, privacy and identities of juveniles are protected at all times.”
