‘선정적·자극적 제목 지양’…성평등부, 여성폭력 사건보도 권고기준 마련

The government has established guidelines for reporting on cases of gender-based violence, specifically focusing on avoiding sensational or inciting headlines, accurate terminology, and responsible reporting. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family collaborated with the Korea Press Foundation to create the "Guidelines for Reporting on Gender-Based Violence Cases 1.0," which went into effect on January 1st.

These guidelines are based on the revised Violence Prevention Basic Act for Gender Equality, which requires the Ministry of Gender Equality to work with relevant central administrative agencies to develop and enforce the guidelines.

The recommendations cover five key principles: (1) highlighting the structural causes of gender-based violence, (2) ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of information, (3) prohibiting sensational or inciting reporting, (4) protecting victims and preventing secondary victimization, and (5) complying with management responsibilities in the digital media environment.

Each principle includes three major tasks. For instance, when reporting on gender-based violence cases, the focus should be on prevention and improving the system, addressing any human rights violations resulting from the reporting, and avoiding excessive emphasis on specific identities or personal relationships unrelated to the case.

Additionally, when reporting on digital sexual crimes, it is recommended not to use reenactments or produce sexualized creations.

The guidelines also stress the importance of avoiding terms that could facilitate the search and identification of victims, and establishing a post-management system for any digital records related to the article to protect the victims' right to privacy. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to incorporate these guidelines into the training and career development programs for journalists and to recognize outstanding reporting in the field of gender-based violence prevention.

Hyun Myung, the Gender Equality Minister, emphasized that reporting on gender-based violence cases must balance the public's right to know with the victims' rights to privacy and safety.