Careless and reckless

JEERS TO several media organizations for their careless and reckless reporting of a crime involving a minor.

The Philippine Star, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol and Bandila, and GMA-7’s 24 Oras and Saksi released the name of a child killed by her father in the early hours of May 20.

They also described the crime in detail. The suspect killed his seven -year-old daughter at home and then posted the picture of the dead child on Facebook.

But CHEERS TO TV5’s Aksyon for being the only broadcast news program which covered the incident without naming and showing the photos of the victim.

On May 20, the STAR Group of Publications’ website philSTAR.com published the story with the headline “Man butchers 7-year-old daughter in QC.” The post identified the victim and gave the exact address where the crime happened. The report said, “Police said that (name of the father), 31, jobless…confessed to killing his daughter, (name of the daughter) inside their house on (address).”

The article said further that “…after hearing the suspect’s confession, police said relatives and neighbors of the suspect went to the house and saw the girl’s body bloodied and sprawled on the bed…The victim bore a stabwound [sic] on (sic)the neck, stomach and the back.”

On the other hand, the Inquirer reported, “Asked why he killed his daughter, (name of the father) said he could not recall what happened, save for the sight of blood oozing from the girl’s neck.”

The Guide for Media Practitioners on the Reporting and Coverage of Children (Special Committee on the Protection of Children headed by the Department of Justice, of which the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas is a member) suggests that

In the best interest of the child, the identity of a child victim of abuse, child witness, CIAC (Children Involved in Armed Conflict) or a CICL (Child in Conflict with the Law) shall not be disclosed whether directly or indirectly. No information that would lead to the identity of the child or any member of his/her family shall be published or broadcast.

And that

(Mentioning) The personal circumstance of the child which will tend to sensationalize the case must be avoided. The child’s life should not be treated as a movie.

Broadcast news programs TV Patrol, Bandila, 24 Oras, and Saksi flashed photos of the child in their coverage. A blurred screen capture photo of the dead child which the father posted in Facebook was also shown in the reports.

The Guidelines on the Coverage of Crimes against Women and Minors (CMFR seminar on the same topic, December 1993) pointed out the importance to “recognize the right to dignity of victims, especially in death.” On the use of images the guidelines states:

(Section 2 Article 2.) Do not photograph or use photos of minors as victims.