Dear Editor,
It was horrifying to recently read a Demerara Waves headline declaring that an “11 year-old girl was sexually active”. At first, I thought that if I spoke on it, it would further compound the egregious harm it no doubt caused. However, upon further consideration, it is not something that should be swept under a rug or dismissed. Why one might ask? Simply because a basic tenet of journalism is to be ethical.
The clear overtone of the headline is that an 11-year-old child was sexually active. I will state the obvious that a child is not an adult who consents to sexual activity. A child obviously cannot consent. Ergo, it is the rape of a child.
I will not speculate on the connotation and effect of such a headline on the father and other relatives of that little girl. More so given that she is dead.
This begs the question, how germane is such a headline to the fact that a child was brutally killed? The only conclusion that the average reader could draw from it is that the editor is wittingly or unwittingly forcing readers to speculate and make a connection between the child’s sexuality and the perpetrator of this heinous crime.
This type of headline is the hallmark of the sensational style tabloids, whose primary interest, driven by pecuniary considerations catapult them to engage in salacious headlines in a bid to attract readership.
Unfortunately, the communications programme at the University of Guyana, leaves much to be desired. I can definitively say this because I read same there. The study of ethics is an integral and most elemental part of every communications/journalism diploma or degree world over.
I cannot speak to what currently obtains at UG. In my time, ethics was not taught as a separate course. The point being that if at university level, ethics was not reinforced, then one can reasonably conclude that the chances it would be lacking in the local media would be higher.
Case in point being that horrendous headline. According to Washington University, the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, and the Canadian Association of Journalists Ethics Guidelines, there is a key principle entitled the “limitation of harm”.
Briefly, this means that journalists have a responsibility not to harm others while reporting a story. This factor is one of the primary differences between professional journalists reporting for reputable news outlets, as opposed to the sensational rag type outfits.
Furthermore, ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. In this vein, journalists have to strive for the delicate balance between the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort to the parties who are the subject of the reports.
While pursuing stories, journalists are expected to show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. It is a reasonable expectation that journalists employ sensitivity when dealing with minors, and victims of sexual offences. This is also applicable to sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to consent. (WU)
Additionally, journalists are expected to consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication.
This is Journalism Ethics 101. How then does the headline in question fare when measured against the aforementioned? It fails miserably. No attempt should be made to justify it by seeking cover behind it being the language of the police autopsy report. Apparently, the report, was quoted verbatim. Apart from pointing out the obvious with respect to the police force and the language of its releases, editors are expected to exercise discretion, make judgement calls and avoid pandering to lurid curiosity; at least if one wants to be taken seriously as a reputable media house.
One simply cannot defend or justify the indefensible. None is too big to own up to a lapse in judgement and correct same. Whichever way you twist it or turn it, slice or dice it, the headline is abhorrent!
The human rights and women’s groups may consider lending their voices to ensure that in this respect these types of headlines do not become the norm.
Yours faithfully,
Yolande A. Gittens
