Media professionals are being invited to a conference to examine how children are portrayed in the media, and what responsibilities the press holds in this area.

The event, Children’s Rights Vs. Press Freedom, is being run by social care charity Quarriers, in association with press ethics group MediaWise.

Speakers will include Culture, Media and Sport secretary Tessa Jowell, Lynn Geldof from Unicef and MediaWise Trust director Mike Jempson.

Broadcaster Martin Bell is due to chair a one-hour question-and-answer session on topics raised during the day.

Topics to be covered include identification of children in the media, legal proceedings and child protection.

The conference will include two keynote speeches, three full panel debates and a substantive question and answer session with audience participation.

There will be significant involvement of young people throughout the conference day.

Quarriers development manager David Niven said: "Press freedom and the representation of children in the media have increasingly become more complicated and contentious in recent years.

"Many people are concerned about the impact on children’s rights.

"Regulations controlling press freedom and the media exist, but the interpretation of these guidelines on press freedom seems to be constantly open to question and children’s rights may not always be fully observed.

"The conference will examine the issues and make recommendations that can take matters forward."

This is the first in a series of national conferences focusing on children’s rights and press freedom and takes place in Bath on Friday Novermber 11. More details can be obtained from the charity at www.quarriersforum.net.