The media reports on the victim of a recent murder taking place in Tebet, South Jakarta, were unethical, says a member of the Press Council
he media reports on the victim of a recent murder taking place in Tebet, South Jakarta, were unethical, says a member of the Press Council.
'The media has been too eager to get the news. They don't have empathy for the victim and her family,' Press Council member Yosep Adi Prasetyo said by phone on Friday.
Following the murder of Deudeuh Avisah Rini, also known as Tata, in her room on April 10, the media had exposed photos from her social media account, detailed her profession as a sex worker and interviewed her family about her profession, which they were not previously aware of.
'Is it even appropriate to mention her profession? It must really hurt the family,' Yosep said, adding that media should honor the deceased and not publish stories about the victim in such a manner; they should honor her privacy.
He added that stigma surrounding the victim's profession might linger for the family because of the media's coverage.
Various media outlets were also deemed unethical for their portrayal of the killer, as they reported private things such as the intercourse between the two. He highlighted that it might inspire copycats that wanted to seek out the services of sex workers.
Considering the possible damage, the Press Council might sanction the media outlets that broke the story in a somewhat unbecoming way.
'I will try to warn the media first. If this goes on, the Press Council will summon these media outlets and we will sanction them,' he said. (fsu/nvn)(+++)
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