Violence against Women: Recommendations for Ethical Standards in Media Coverage of Events

Abstract

Introduction. A close examination of media reports on violence against women reveals a growing interest among news outlets in covering this issue and disclosing various aspects and forms of gender-based violence.

Relevance of the study. A primary responsibility of the Ukrainian media during the Russo-Ukrainian war is to understand the problems that require constant attention and urgent solutions, namely the protection of vulnerable and marginalized groups of society. The most efficacious method of addressing the issue of violence against women is the provision of accurate and objective news coverage. The article offers a synopsis of the findings from prior studies that focused on various dimensions of psychological and sexual violence against women. It also delineates the primary recommendations for adhering to ethical standards when reporting on a traumatic event in the media.

Methodology. The present paper constitutes a study that analyzes and synthesizes extant literature on the subject, thereby identifying, challenging, and developing components of the theory by examining prior work; thus, it is a literature review. The present paper employs an integrative approach. A review of this category often requires a more creative approach to data collection, since the aim is typically not to cover every article ever published on a particular topic, but rather to synthesize views and ideas from different fields or research traditions.

Results. It has been asserted that the manner in which violence against women is represented in the media has a significant impact on the public’s comprehension of gender-based violence. Furthermore, it has been posited that the social construction of victim and offender is influenced by media portrayals of violence against women. It has been emphasized that the media frequently frames gender-based violence as a personal rather than a social problem, focusing on the sensational elements of the act itself. Moreover, the presence of sexist stereotypes in the media hinders the achievement of real gender equality in the country.

Conclusions. In the pursuit of journalistic integrity and the provision of comprehensive coverage on traumatic subject, it is imperative that journalists adhere to rigorous ethical guidelines, facilitating a metamorphosis in the prevailing circumstances, while concomitantly assessing personal achievements as well as the societal contributions of those affected by traumatic events. A comprehensive review of the extant research reveals several key points that must be addressed in any investigation into the coverage of psychological and sexual violence against women in the media. These points include the selection of information sources, the structure of the message, the content of the information provided, the rhetoric and visual design of the text, and the context of the message.