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Press Council of India

PR/16/2003-04

Dated 19.3.04.

Press Council advises the press to protect the identity of rape

victims.

The Press Council of India which met here on 17.3.2004 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice K.
Jayachandra Reddy adjudicated upon 138 complaint cases.
It inter-alia noted with concern that while reporting news on victims of sexual abuse, some papers were
violating Norm 14 of journalistic Conduct enunciated by the Council which reads as follows:
Norm 14: Caution against identification: While reporting crime involving rape, abduction or kidnap of
women/females or sexual assault on children, or raising doubts and questions touching the chastity,
personal character and privacy of women, the names, photographs of the victims or other particulars
leading to their identity shall not be published.
Since the media has an obligation legal as well as social to protect the identity of rape victims, the
Council, reminds and appeals to the print media fraternity to keep in sight the norm quoted above while
reporting on victims of sexual abuse.