Editorial ethics breached in Vanuatu tragedy

Thursday, March 24, 2011
Editorial ethics breached in Vanuatu tragedy

PFF, Rarotonga, Cook Islands -- The front page publication of the
image of a dead child photographed where he died is a clear breach of
media ethics in Vanuatu and must remind Pacific newsrooms to balance
news journalism with decency in reporting, says regional media freedom
watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum.

The call to uphold established media codes which govern news
journalism comes after the front-page publication of a full colour
photo of a dead child, by the Vanuatu Times newspaper in its Saturday
18 March issue (number 74). The Times article highlighted the fact
that the child, referred to only by the name Kaloran, died in an
unsecured timber yard premises, and that relatives were seeking a
claim for compensation.

"The codes of ethics developed by the Media Assosiasen Blong Vanuatu commit to special considerations for coverage of children, and for decency and sensitivity to govern decisions to publish images of the dead. We urge all practitioners in Vanuatu to uphold the ethics they have developed, and for the Times to make its apology to Kaloran's family and readers clear and immediate," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea of Papua New Guinea.

"The Vanuatu Times is led by senior members of the Vanuatu media and includes regional media leadership in the form of PINA President Moses Stevens on its editorial team. We welcome confirmation from the President that publication of the image was a breach of ethics." says Laumaea.

"There is a line between sensitive reporting to the issue of preventable deaths, and gratuitous coverage which goes beyond the bounds of decency in any society," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa, "It takes a standard of maturity and courage by newsrooms to admit when the lines have been blurred, and we encourage MAV to ensure its code of ethics is widely accessible in Vanuatu newsrooms to help editors and journalists stand by the excellent codes they've initiated."

ENDS