The Press Council calls on the media and journalists to respect professional and ethical principles in the handling of rape, harassment and sexual assault cases against children, reports the TAP agency.
In a “guiding charter for the media treatment of crimes of rape and sexual harassment against children,” published on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Council relies on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Lanzarote Convention, the terms of reference for audiovisual media, and Decrees-Laws Nos. 115 and 116 of 2011, as well as on the principles of journalistic ethics.
Do not publish anything that could identify the child
According to the Council, the protection of the child, their dignity and their safety remains a priority in any media coverage, without infringing on the public’s right to information nor on the legal guarantees of the parties.
The media are urged to refrain from publishing the child’s name, image or voice, or any data enabling direct or indirect identification. They should also avoid details about the child’s family, educational or social environment and about the circumstances of the case, likely to reveal their identity or expose them to stigmatization or retaliation, as well as any document, photo or recording infringing their privacy.
Avoid sensationalism and the “revictimisation”
The Council also calls for avoiding sensationalism, shocking headlines and intimate details exploiting the child’s suffering, refraining from blaming the victim or questioning their behavior or attire, and banning any discourse that justifies or minimizes sexual violence. It recommends not pressuring the child to obtain interviews or the account of the assault.
It also calls for verifying information and their sources, distinguishing allegations, established facts and judicial decisions, respecting the presumption of innocence and the rights of the defence, using precise and neutral language and avoiding defamation and the “media trials.” These principles apply to all forms of publication and broadcasting, including talk shows and digital platforms.
Source: TAP
