Press release: Irresponsible reporting hurts victims and encourages new violence

Press Council and organizations: Save the Children, Center for Childrens’ Rights, Friends of Children of Serbia and the Network of Organizations for Children of Serbia invite all journalists and editors to act responsibly and to talk about the terrible tragedies at the Elementary School “Vladislav Ribnikar” in Belgrade and in the vicinity of Mladenovac, as well as all other topics that are raised in connection with these tragedies,  to report in accordance with professional standards and true empathy.

Professional reporting, with full respect for the rights of all affected by the tragedy, is necessary so that children and adults, as well as the whole society, have the opportunity to face the trauma they have experienced, and to stop the terrible escalation of violence we are witnessing.

Unfortunately, most media outlets have forgotten about the basic rules of reporting in situations involving great pain and shock in recent days. Of particular concern is the non-compliance with the provisions relating to the protection of the rights, privacy and dignity of children and victims of crime and the absolutely inadmissible interviewing of children, witnesses of crimes and the publication of the names of the perpetrators or details that could make him recognizable in public.

We remind that the Code of Journalists of Serbia stipulates that, even if the competent state authorities publish data that fall within the domain of privacy of the perpetrator or victim, such as the name of the perpetrator of a criminal offense or details that could make him recognizable in public, the media must not transmit this information due to possible consequences for the victim or perpetrator if their identity is revealed.

We call on journalists to consistently respect ethical and professional norms and to avoid any sensationalism when reporting on serious and traumatic events for the whole society, and especially not to further harm children who survived the tragedy and the families of victims, but also not to provoke the violence to happen again.

We urge the media to immediately stop publishing disturbing, frightening and often bizarre details of violence and to stop speculating about the reasons for the violence and psychological profiles of the perpetrators, as this creates an atmosphere of fear and further traumatizes children.

We recommend them to report more on ways to protect psychological health, give space to experts who will talk constructively and understandably about coping with trauma and how to treat and talk to children exposed to trauma and violence. Also, to include in every report on violence a warning that the content is potentially disturbing and whenever they can visibly publish contacts of organizations and institutions that can provide assistance in such situations.

Belgrade, May 5, 2023