Media told to prioritise ethical standards in GBV reporting

Journalists and media professionals have been urged to prioritise ethical standards, survivor-centredness, and the use of sensitive language when reporting on gender-based violence (GBV).

The Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, who made the call, stressed the need to enhance the capacity and skills of journalists to understand the dynamics and consequences of GBV.

This, she said, would enable them to produce accurate and sensitive reports.

Dr Dwamena-Aboagye said media coverage of GBV should respect the privacy and dignity of survivors.

She added that reportage should focus on empowering survivors rather than perpetuating victim-blaming, sensationalism, or trivialising violence.

She was speaking at a Media Advocacy Forum on the theme: “Voices for Change: Transforming Media Narratives on Gender-Based Violence”.

Speaking on the topic: “The Power of Words: The Danger of Irresponsible Reporting on GBV”, she highlighted the critical role of the media in addressing GBV through advocacy, holding institutions accountable, and fostering a society free from abuse.

Forum

The forum, organised by the Alliance for Women in Media Africa (AWMA), with support from GIZ (German Corporation), was part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

It brought together media professionals, activists, and stakeholders to discuss the media’s role in shaping public perceptions of GBV, advocating for victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.

The event aimed to educate journalists on the harmful effects of irresponsible reporting, promotion of dialogue, and to inspire cultural change to combat GBV.

Rationale

The convener of AWMA, Mercy Adjabeng, described GBV as a pervasive crisis affecting millions of women and girls globally.

She said “the media play a key role in raising awareness and advocating for change”, but warned against practices like sensationalism, victim-blaming, and trivialising violence, which often made things worse and allowed perpetrators to go scot free.

“Violence destroys lives, livelihoods, and dignity. If offenders believe they can get away with it, they’ll continue. The media must step up to educate, inform, and demand justice,” she said.

The Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, highlighted the rise in online violence against women, including female journalists.

Sharing a survey conducted by UNESCO across 125 countries, she revealed that 73 per cent of women respondents had experienced online violence, with 65 per cent facing threats of physical harm, and 18 per cent encountering sexual violence.

The survey, she indicated, also showed that 26 per cent of respondents reported mental health impacts, 12 per cent had sought medical attention, 11 per cent missed work, four per cent quit their jobs, and one per cent left journalism entirely because of  these attacks.

“These numbers are not just statistics; they reflect the toxic environments women face online,” Prof. Gadzekpo stressed.

She urged media organisations to protect their staff from online abuse and to tackle attitudes that silenced victims and emboldened attackers.

Commitment

The Governance and Peace Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, Astrid Kohl, underscored the global prevalence of GBV, indicating that one in three women worldwide experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.

She added that “in Ghana, reports show that nearly 25 per cent of women aged 15 to 29 face intimate partner violence”.

Through GIZ initiatives like the Participation and Contribution for a Resilient Democracy (PIAP) and Supporting Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Civil Society (G-PROGRAM), she reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to address GBV and promoting gender equality.

“We must collaborate to transform media narratives, empower survivors, and build a society where gender equality thrives,” she added.