IMPHAL, Nov 24 MNS NNN : A consultation workshop on media ethics on reporting rape cases has been organized today at Manipur Press Club organized by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) and deliberated various aspects involved in reporting such sensitive issue.
Role of media as not only confined to serving the people in its best capacity but the emerging trend of media, assuming foremost importance in society and governance has been higlighterd by Dr Aribam Ibomcha Sharma (IIS), news editor and Head Regional News Unit of AIR, Imphal.
The influence of the media to play the all pervasive and all-powerful impact on the society to make or unmake any individual, institution or any agenda has been noted by him adding that wielding such great power and strength, the media cannot lose sight of its privileges, duties and obligation.
Dr Ibomcha reminded media to follow certain mandated ethics for ensuring objectivity and fairness in reporting, keeping in mind its cascading effect on the society and on the individuals and institutions concerned.
However, despite the best care, to err is human and media content is human creation and media cannot claim that it is always right, he said while calling on the fourth estate to rectify at the earliest.
Stressing that media persons should take utmost care in covering sensitive and complex issues related to human life and liberty, personal well being and dignity, Dr Ibomcha said, ‘such complex and sensitive issue is rape’.
Prejudiced and insensitive reporting is like second rape, causing the victim to feel violated all over again, he said commenting on the recent rape incidents in India and such reporting that culminated in igniting debate on media ethics. Media should not give any report that will influence the outcome in due course of investigation of any case of sexual assault except it is overweighed by a noble and common cause of the masses, he remarked.
The media as mass educator and spin doctor, he said, its role is pivotal to reformation of the society starting from its smallest part – the single Individual.
A Ganeshor , member secretary of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) spoke on ‘Legal provision and prohibiting publication of rape victim’s names and particulars’.
Y Rupachandra, special correspondent of Seven Sisters Post, spoke on ‘The disclosure issues and challenges in the reporting of the rape cases’ while A Mobi president of (AMWJU) moderated the function.
The speakers of the function emphasized to keep the ethnical value while reporting of rape cases. The journalists should try to conceal the name of the rape victim to project the privacy of the victim.
They should not use the freedom of speech in the wrong way but with a responsibility. While reporting crime related to rape or kidnap of women or raising doubts and questions touching the chastity, personal character and privacy of women, the names, photographs of the victims or other particulars leading to their identity shall not be published. Legal actions can be taken up against these newspapers if they can’t follow the legal provisions.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/reporting-rape-cases-and-role-of-media/
