- Doctors, teachers, the NCPA & the Police highlight need for responsible, ethical, & sensitive media reporting that eschews lurid, trauma & copycat-inducing ‘yellow journalism’, and which protects privacy & dignity
- Calls made for social media regulation
A recent tragedy involving two young students at an apartment complex in Colombo has left the community reeling and ignited a heated debate about media ethics and the responsibility in reporting such incidents. This heart-wrenching event has brought to light the critical need of sensitivity in reporting, particularly when it involves children. As families grieve and a community seeks answers, the incident has become a catalyst for examining how media practices impact the most vulnerable among us. Amidst the sorrow, voices are rising to demand more compassionate and ethical journalism, emphasising the importance of protecting the dignity and privacy of those affected by such tragic events.
On 2 July, two 15-year-old students from an international school in Colombo fell to their deaths from the 67th floor of an apartment complex in Colombo 2. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage revealed that after school, the duo had arrived at the high-rise building in a three-wheeler, claiming that they were attending a friend’s party, and managed to enter the premises. Later, their bodies were recovered from the third floor of the complex where air conditioners were located. Subsequent investigations uncovered that the girl had a known interest in taking pictures from high places, with several such photos found on her mobile phone. This has led the Police to suspect that the pair may have fallen while attempting to take photographs from the 67th floor.
In a recent statement, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) expressed concern over the recent media coverage of the deaths of the two schoolchildren, criticising the lack of respect for privacy and human rights. According to the statement, various media outlets, especially certain electronic and social media institutions, have sensationalised the details to capture public attention, neglecting to provide privacy and dignity to the deceased and their grieving families. They noted that certain media channels had aired images that clearly identified the affected children, despite the cause of death not yet being determined. They condemned the tactics used by such channels to attract viewers, emphasising the need for responsible reporting. The SLMA also highlighted the importance of adhering to internationally recognised guidelines when reporting on deaths, suicides, and attempted suicides, including by promoting relief services and other related agencies. Regrettably, they observed that many media channels fail to uphold humane and ethical standards in their reporting, and also appreciated the efforts of media outlets and personnel who do adhere to such standards.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, Government school teacher, Rasika Handapangoda highlighted the adverse impact of irresponsible media reporting on children, particularly when they are exposed to distressing incidents. She noted that children often become traumatised when they see distressing incidents, which are frequently reported in a manner that she described as “disgusting”.
“The ways of reporting that we had some time back were more sensitive. It was mainly during the tsunami disaster in 2004 that media coverage began to show dead bodies. This trend continued during the last phase of the war and in subsequent war-related reports. As a result, people became accustomed to seeing such images. A similar way of reporting is now being used on sensitive individuals and groups like children,” she said.
She said that these reporting practices are detrimental to children in both the short and long term, adding that children could be tempted to experiment with what they see. While acknowledging the necessity of reporting, she emphasised that it should be done responsibly. Handapangoda also suggested that involving teachers, who often spend time with children, in the process of preparing the related guidelines could yield positive outcomes.
The recent incident has also prompted an urgent call to action from the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP). In a statement, they expressed deep dismay at the ‘detailed’ and ‘sensationalised’ reporting of the incident using CCTV footage, which they claimed made it easy to identify the children involved. The professional body argued that in attempting to dramatise the incident, certain media institutions have brutally violated the rights of the children and forgotten the basic principle of respecting the dead.
They warned that children who watch such incidents could be traumatised. The statement noted that paediatricians have reported treating children who presented with behaviour changes and psychosomatic symptoms after being exposed to detailed traumatic experiences on TV and other forms of media. They argued that frequent and detailed reports of such acts could lead children to perceive these incidents as ‘normal’ behaviour, adding that it is particularly concerning for adolescents, whose impulse control is still developing. They added that the association between sensationalised media reportage and an increase in suicidal behaviour is well-documented in the medical literature.
Commenting on the issue to The Daily Morning, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairperson Prof. Udayakumara Amarasinghe said that while there are legal provisions for prosecuting those who report the identity of children subjected to sexual crimes, no such provisions exist for other incidents.
“Generally, there are laws that can prosecute the parties involved if they report the identity of a child who has been a victim of a sexual crime. However, when it comes to reporting on children in relation to other incidents, such as suicides, accidents, or the commission of a crime, there are no similar legal provisions. Regardless of the presence or absence of legal provisions, the NCPA believes that the identity of any child involved in any unfortunate incident should not be disclosed. Whether there are legal provisions or not, our stance at the NCPA is that the identity of any child facing any kind of unfortunate incident should not be made public. It is not practical to monitor everything with legal provisions, but, if the relevant parties operate within the appropriate ethical frameworks, we can ensure children's wellbeing,” he said.
He added that the NCPA is continuously engaging in discussions with the Ministry of Mass Media and the relevant media organisations to address these issues. Despite these efforts, he noted with regret that certain media institutions do not adhere to the relevant standards when reporting on children. Prof. Amarasinghe further pointed out the significant challenges in tackling the issue of irresponsible reporting on children on social media platforms. “When incidents are reported on a TV channel or in a newspaper, one can identify and hold the reporter accountable, but, the biggest challenge is social media. A random person may record a video, or prepare a post, and post them online, and controlling it is very difficult.”
Recently, another video revealing the identity of a small boy accompanying two females who had stolen a mobile phone from a shop in the Dambulla area was widely circulated on social media platforms. The widespread sharing of this video had sparked a troubling trend in the comments section. Surprisingly, many social media users applauded the act of recording and sharing the video, praising those who posted it for exposing the theft. This approval from the majority of commentators highlights a concerning lack of awareness regarding the ethical implications of such actions. Only a few individuals attempted to point out that revealing their identity was wrong and could have severe consequences for them. However, their attempts to bring attention to the ethical breach were met with ridicule and dismissive responses from other users, who seemed to prioritise the sensational aspect of the incident over the privacy and wellbeing of the trio, including the child. This incident also reflects the significant challenges posed by social media, where content can be shared instantly and widely, often without regard for ethical standards or the potential harm to those involved.
Commenting on the incident, social media user Tharindu Thotawattha expressed his views on the ethical complexities involved in exposing such incidents. While some might justify public shaming as a deterrent to theft, he argued that this approach ultimately fails to prevent future incidents. “Punishment takes two forms: physical and mental. The suffering inflicted by videotaping suspects and sharing the footage on social media is also a form of punishment,” he said, adding that the public does not have the right to impose such punishment. He advocated instead, for an impartial third party, the Judiciary, to determine appropriate consequences. Thotawattha criticised the behaviour seen in these situations as more aligned with seeking revenge rather than seeking true justice. He asserted that the proper response, in the case of the Dambulla incident, should have been to contact the Police and file a formal complaint.
When contacted, Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa pointed to the crucial role of media agencies in practising sensitivity and engaging in responsible reporting. He highlighted that this responsibility extends beyond issues related to children, encompassing other communities as well. He remarked: “Instead of focusing on whether legal provisions exist or not, it is more important for media organisations to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of each community.” He charged that while mainstream media organisations often adhere to these standards, the most critical challenge lies with social media platforms.
The call for compassionate journalism is not just a response to this incident, but a necessary step towards ensuring that all vulnerable individuals are treated with respect and dignity. This tragedy underscores the broader responsibility of the media in shaping public perception and influencing societal values. Moving forward, it is imperative for both the traditional and social media to adopt and adhere to responsible reporting practices, fostering an environment where sensitivity and ethics are paramount. By prioritising the wellbeing of individuals and communities over sensationalism, media outlets can contribute to a more humane and just society.