engleski

Guidelines for media reporting on child sexual abuse

The main goal of this paper is to define the guidelines for media reporting on child sexual abuse (CSA). Guidelines are necessary since the media are the key source of information on CSA to the general public and history has shown that the media can play a positive role by reporting on CSA. However, media messages might also be the reason why unrecognized victims do not disclose abuse to the authorities especially if they violate victim’s right to privacy and dignity, textually victimize the survivor, create moral panic, offer instructions for abusers or sexually explicit material, and support CSA myths. The paper explains the importance of the journalist’s role while reporting on CSA, defines guidelines on how to report on CSA, and offers brief advice for preparing and writing a story and short tips on the language that should and should not be used while writing a CSA story.

media guidelines ; media reporting ; child sexual abuse

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