The Media Ethics Council in Northern Cyprus urged avoiding sensational coverage of sexual abuse cases

The Media Ethics Council in Northern Cyprus issued a written statement on December 25, 2025, calling on all media to exercise caution when reporting cases of sexual abuse and to avoid a “feverish” public reaction and language that incites outrage, reports Kıbrıs Postası.

The statement notes that public outrage is understandable, but it should not escalate into “linguistic or factual persecution” or violate the presumption of innocence. The council emphasized the need to consider humanitarian and constitutional obligations when providing information, especially in cases involving children.

The council urged journalists and editorial teams to avoid materials and wording that could retraumatize victims or demean their dignity. The document also contains recommendations not to use “revelatory” or provocative language and not to publish information that could lead to “re-victimization.”

The Media Ethics Council addressed all print, visual, and digital publications with a proposal to review editorial policies in accordance with constitutional rights, professional journalistic ethics, and international standards for child protection. For residents of Northern Cyprus, this means expecting more restrained and responsible reporting of such criminal cases.