Cathy Otten, Visiting Assistant Professor of Media Ethics and Journalism, and Director of the Journalism Initiative on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at Rutgers University announced the launch of a new pocket guide designed to enhance ethical engagement and reporting on survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and those at-risk.
The Pocket Guide for Media Practitioners: Ethical Engagement and Reporting on Survivors of Gender-Based Violence was launched by the Journalism Initiative on GBV in partnership with the SEED (Social, Educational, and Economic Development) Foundation, a women-led, local non-governmental organization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), committed to protecting, empowering, and supporting the recovery and reintegration of survivors of violence and others at risk. Otten noted, “On World News Day, we launched this new pocket guide for reporters working in English, Sorani Kurdish, and Arabic on ethical reporting on gender-based violence with the idea of trying to encourage more sensitive, data-driven, hard-hitting reporting that doesn't sensationalize or further stigmatize survivors of gendered violence.” World News Day, September 28 this year, is an annual global initiative that aims to draw public attention to the role that journalists play in providing trustworthy news and information that serves citizens and democracy.
The reason for the creation and launch of the pocket guide for media practitioners is primarily due to a high prevalence of GBV, including femicide, and “honor” killing in Iraq and Kurdistan, and the subsequent critical need for the ethical treatment and representation of all women in the media. The hope is that this guide serves to prevent dangerous and stigmatizing coverage that may negatively impact public opinion, leading to dangerous rhetoric within the community, or encouraging further violence against women.
As noted in the press release on the SEED website, women who are survivors of violence should be treated with respect, have their safety and security treated as paramount, and be represented in a dignified manner by the media.
The pocket guide reflects the core principles outlined in Silence and Omissions: A Media Guide for Covering Gender-Based Violence, published by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University in 2021. It aims to address knowledge gaps among media practitioners, particularly on issues related to obtaining informed consent and referrals to service providers when needed, and presents practical tools that aim to ensure their reporting does not endanger or re-traumatize survivors.
The Journalism Initiative on Gender-Based Violence at Rutgers University works with independent journalists, media outlets and Schools of Journalism to strengthen reporting on gender-based violence, reduce its prevalence globally, and advocate for women journalists under threat — particularly those from marginalized communities, and those under attack for reporting on gender-based violence. The initiative is part of the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers, and Rutgers Global.
The partnership between SEED and the Journalism Initiative on Gender-Based Violence underscores a joint commitment to improving media practices around GBV, and a shared vision to promote responsible journalism that prioritizes the safety and well-being of survivors.