Via Feministe and Jezebel comes really interesting and encouraging news out of Argentina–100 journalists have banded together to establish a list of 10 rules to follow when covering gender-based and sexual violence (against women). From the story at IPS:

The document, by the Argentine Network of Journalists for Non-Sexist Communication (PAR), has already been debated in forums and delivered to social and cultural associations and editorial offices. It will be publicly launched on Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Its aim is to combat “invisible discrimination, which is often unintentional, but occurs because it has become natural in daily life,” Liliana Hendel, a psychologist and journalist for the subscription television news channel Todo Noticias, and one of the authors of the ten commandments, or decalogue, told IPS.

“We will uproot from our work the term ‘crime of passion’ to refer to murders of women who are victims of gender violence. Crimes of passion do not exist,” says item three of the document, for example.

According to Hendel, “to call a murder a crime of passion is to presuppose that it is a consequence of love, because ‘he loved her too much,’ which distances it from the concept of crime.”

I’ll post the entire list at the end of the post, but I wanted to call out my favorite rule, number 6: We will never look for justifications or “motives” (alcohol, drugs, arguments, jealousy, a couple’s separation, infidelity, and so on) that only distract attention from the central issue: violence. The cause of gender-based violence is the control and domination that certain men exercise over women.

It’s really refreshing to see journalists who have a sense of social responsibility, and who are committed to doing away with the sensationalism and victim-blaming that is often used in the media coverage of this type of violence. Certainly the US media could learn a lot from this. The way we think about gender-based violence is absolutely informed by how such stories are covered in the media, and more often than not those stories are not filled with excuses for assailants and coded language that downplays the criminal aspect of the crime.

I would agree with Cara at Feministe that one particularly egregious habit journalists have that was not mentioned in the Argentine list is the tendency to call rape “sex,” especially in reference to statutory rape. I also want to mention though that I think it’s unfortunate that the decalogue focuses entirely on “non-sexist language” in ways that imply sexual violence is only a female problem, not to mention that it leaves out gender-based violence against the transgendered. One can only assume that the rules pertaining to the safety of victims would be extended to all sexual violence victims, but then again, maybe it’s not a good idea to assume…

Point being: I applaud these journalists wholeheartedly for commitment to doing better on behalf of female victims, and I think that the special attention paid to women is warranted, I just wish that all such attempts were as inclusive as possible, making it easier for all victims of sexual violence–regardless of gender–to feel recognized and protected, and to not have to remain silent.

THE DECALOGUE

1. The following terms are correct usage: violence against women, gender-based violence and sexist violence.

2. Gender-based violence is a crime insofar as it is illegal behaviour that must be prevented and punished, a social problem, an assault on the right to life, dignity, and physical and psychological integrity of women, and an issue that concerns the defence of human rights.

3. We will uproot from our work the term “crime of passion” to refer to murders of women who are victims of gender violence. Crimes of passion do not exist.

4. It is of the utmost importance to protect the identity of the victim, rather than that of the aggressor. Make it clear who is the aggressor and who is the victim, and indicate what attitudes and situations may put women in violent relationships at risk, to help raise their awareness about their situation.

5. Some information can harm the victims and their families. It is not always a good idea to identify the victim. It is offensive to refer to victims by diminutives, short forms of proper names, nicknames, and so on.

6. We will never look for justifications or “motives” (alcohol, drugs, arguments, jealousy, a couple’s separation, infidelity, and so on) that only distract attention from the central issue: violence. The cause of gender-based violence is the control and domination that certain men exercise over women.

7. It is essential to check the facts, especially from official sources. 8. Keep the subject on the agenda by denouncing violence in all its forms: psychological, economic, and emotional, without waiting for women to be killed. Tell the story taking into account the uniqueness of each event, but also the elements that each has in common with other cases. This will help us avoid the use of expressions like “once again” or “yet another case of,” and prevent a dulling of sensitivities.

9. Be particularly careful with the photographs and images illustrating the article. Respect the victims and their families, and avoid sexism, sensationalism and obscenity. Never steal images or audio material from a victim. When using a musical background, do not select motifs that inspire terror, or lyrics that talk about “love-sickness” or jealousy.

10. Our articles will always include a free telephone helpline number for victims, and any other information that may be useful for them.