The Audiovisual Media Authority calls on all audiovisual media outlets to strengthen ethical and professional standards in reporting events of high sensitivity that involve children, women and individuals in vulnerable social situations.
Reporting on such cases requires particular editorial attention and care, as the consequences of media exposure may be long-term and irreversible, especially for children.
The Authority acknowledges the general approach of the media in refraining from publishing images and directly identifying information about minors, through techniques such as blurring or avoiding the mention of names. However, recent reporting practices have shown that contextual elements—such as place of residence, close relatives or neighbors, as well as the identity and/or photographs of suspected perpetrators—have often led to the indirect identification of child victims, thereby undermining the protection intended to be guaranteed by the Broadcasting Code.
Even in the reporting of serious social cases, particularly those involving women/mothers in difficult circumstances, the use of stigmatizing language and prejudicial narratives has been observed, despite the lack of complete and verified information regarding the actual circumstances of the situation. Media coverage of such cases, often reduced to labeling and moral judgment, risks distorting reality and fueling lynch-type reactions in public opinion.
The Authority reiterates that the public interest must go hand in hand with the protection of the best interests of the child, privacy, human dignity and the presumption of innocence. Responsible reporting requires not only formal compliance with technical rules, but also a careful assessment of the social impact that media content may have.
In this context, the Authority calls on media professionals to:
- exercise heightened caution with regard to any element that, even indirectly, may lead to the identification of a minor;
- refrain from publishing contextual details which, when taken together, expose the identity of minors;
- report on family-related social cases using balanced, neutral and non-stigmatizing language;
- avoid constructing definitive narratives or moral judgments in the absence of complete and verified information;
- take into account the impact that headlines, language and images have on public opinion.
The Audiovisual Media Authority will continue to monitor compliance with audiovisual content standards and, where violations are identified, will respond by applying the administrative measures stipulated under the legislation in force.
This appeal aims to reiterate the professional and social obligation to ensure responsible and ethical reporting that is in line with fundamental human rights, in the service of the public interest and the protection of groups in vulnerable social situations.
