site.btaCommission for Journalistic Ethics Issues Position on Media Coverage of Violence

The Commission for Journalistic Ethics published a position on the media coverage of acts of violence and their investigation. "In recent days, cruelty and aggression have been a central topic of the Bulgarian media and the public. The information about violence against a young woman in Stara Zagora was followed by information about other similar cases, which are disclosed by the victims themselves or by the law enforcement authorities. We are facing a significant public problem," reads part of the position.

The Commission points out that in such a situation the media has an important role to play in the objective and professional coverage of the debate. It must be based on the rules of ethical journalism and include empathy and solidarity with the victims and their relatives and intolerance to any form of violence.
The Commission cites the Code of Ethics of the Bulgarian media, according to which before the facts and circumstances related to the acts of violence are clarified, the media should refrain from qualifications and emotional reactions, as well as comply with the presumption of innocence.

"Intruding into the personal lives of persons who have suffered violence is not justified regardless of the existence of public interest, except in extraordinary circumstances for the purposes of prevention. We recommend that the media refrain from revealing the identity of victims of violence without their consent," the position reads.

The Commission states that even the consent of the victims, as well as the provision of photos and videos of them or their relatives, is not sufficient grounds for disclosing personal data. "This should only be done after a thorough analysis of the balance between considerations of public interest and protection of personal privacy," the position said.

The Commission found cases of intrusion into the personal lives of persons from the investigation and the court, including publication of photos, searches of addresses and filming of judges' residences, publication of photos and statuses from their Facebook pages, etc.

"Even if it is accepted that these persons in certain circumstances have a lower threshold of protection of private life due to the public functions they perform, intrusion into their private life is permissible only in connection with the performance of these functions. If the persons have no relation to the discussed issues or if the information presented is not related to the performance of their functions, there is a violation of the standard of privacy," the commission commented.

The position states that the media has a critical function and owes a critical analysis of the judicial system and its effectiveness, but pressure should not be exerted in a certain direction on specific cases. "Responsible journalism adheres to the standard that the media does not allow itself to be used as a platform by those who promote, incite or practice violence." Reports should be handled with the necessary restraint and only if they are in obvious public interest," the statement concludes.