Ethics committee condemns disclosure of under-investigation sexual crimes

The Committee of Media Ethics Cyprus (CMEC) strongly condemns the disclosure in some of the media of details concerning under-investigation sexual crimes, including abuse, abduction and exploitation, with victims who are minors.

The disclosure of details from statements, which are in the hands of police investigators, violates the journalistic code of conduct. Firstly, it does so in terms of the journalistic coverage of sexual crimes, especially those with victims who are minors and secondly, it does so in relation to the privacy, dignity and other rights of children.

The CMEC hereby announces its intention to contact the police regarding the serious issues which have arisen in relation to the leaking of sensitive statements and information from police investigations. It has been noted that this practice may affect the administration of justice and seriously damages victims’ trust in the police, especially in cases involving minors.

We call on journalists and the media to exercise responsibility and sensitivity when covering such cases. Attention must remain on the criminal acts under investigation, as well as the systemic failures or loopholes which may have occurred or subsequently been uncovered and which may have led to the crimes which are under investigation.

In no case should the media focus on the descriptions and representations of possible crimes, especially when it pertains to crimes of a sexual nature committed against minors. The role and the aim of journalists has been and will continue to be to act as a catalyst, so the victims of such cases feel that the authorities are providing them with everything they need to be able to break their silence and reveal the culprits.

Finally, the CMEC calls for the faithful observance of the journalistic code of conduct, as well as journalistic standards, which protect the identity and wellbeing of vulnerable people.