GPA roasts Guyana Times for irresponsible journalism

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has criticized what it described as the unethical reporting by the Guyana Times Newspaper, which published the name and photograph of a rape victim in their January 30 edition.

In a statement issued on Monday, the GPA reminded media houses of their responsibility to practice “ethical and responsible journalism at all times, but particularly in the reporting of cases involving minors.”

The GPA pointed out that not only is this unethical but the newspaper is also in breach of the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act which prohibits the identification of a rape victim.

In particular, Section 62. (1) of the Act states: “The publication in any document, or the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or witness to an offence under this Act is prohibited.”

According to the GPA, section 62 (3) also states “Every person who publishes in any document or broadcasts, or transmits in any way, any information that could identify the complainant or a witness contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two million dollars.”

The Press Association also noted that other media houses have similarly been guilty of such breaches.

“The GPA notes that the Code of Conduct issued by the UK’s Independent Press Standards Organisation states that the press must not, even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences. Further, in any press report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child, the child must not be identified.”

The GPA reminded media houses that “the freedom to report comes with responsibility to rigorously adhere to voluntary standards and ethical practices while also upholding the fundamental standards of accuracy, fairness and balance.”

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