The NMHH’s media supervision activities involve continuous data collection and analysis. The Authority monitors and analyses the practices of media service providers, examining programmes and content published and checking whether they contain elements that could be harmful to children.
This includes in particular the use of gratuitous violence, frightening imagery or other content that may be harmful to children’s development. If the Authority detects an infringement, it can open an administrative procedure to require the service provider concerned to put an end to the infringement and, if necessary, impose more severe sanctions.
From a child protection point of view, media supervision is more than an official function of the Authority. Citizens’ reports and whistleblowing play an important role in bringing problematic content to the NMHH’s attention. The Authority can also rely on these to check whether a particular programme or content meets the legal requirements. This public engagement strengthens the efficiency of child protection and contributes to making the media operate more transparently.
The aim of the Authority’s child protection activities is not primarily to sanction but to ensure that media service providers operate in a law-abiding way and that the media environment becomes safer for children.
The NMHH’s media supervision work helps and supports parents with having their children exposed to content in a media environment where they are less likely to go through experiences that are harmful, frightening or disturbing, upsetting. The aim of the NMHH is to help parents keep their children safer when they spend time in front of the screen.
The presentation of minors in the media
On 5 February 2025, the Media Council published its Recommendation on the Portrayal of Minors in Media Services, which it was required to prepare by Section 11/A of the Media Act.
According to the legislation, programmes in which children are depicted in a violent, humiliating or vulnerable situation must pay special attention to the protection of the physical, psychological, moral and intellectual development of minors.
The aim of the Recommendation is to ensure that media service providers apply consistent principles to such sensitive content and that children do not suffer any trauma or harm when presented in such situations.
This way, the Media Council provides information and guidance to make sure that children’s appearance in the media complies with the pertaining legal requirements and that the media environment contributes to the protection of children in a responsible manner.
