Komnas Perempuan Urges Gender-Sensitive Journalism in Reporting on Violence
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) is urging the mass media to apply gender-sensitive journalism in reporting cases of violence against women. This is considered important to ensure that media coverage does not reinforce stigma or blame victims of violence.
Komnas Perempuan Chairperson Maria Ulfah Anshor stated that the media has a strategic role in framing the issue of violence against women as a public problem requiring collective attention. According to her, the media can also help accelerate the implementation of the Sexual Violence Crime Law (UU TPKS) in various regions.
"We hope that through Media Indonesia and the media gathered within it, we can voice the acceleration of the implementation of the UU TPKS throughout Indonesia," said Maria during an audience with Komnas Perempuan at the Media Indonesia office in West Jakarta on Thursday (25/6).
Maria explained that the implementation of the UU TPKS still faces various challenges. The establishment of service units and supporting apparatus in the regions is not yet evenly distributed, meaning victims’ access to justice and recovery remains limited.
On the same occasion, Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Dede Kurniawan Sukendar emphasised the importance of reporting that sides with the victim. According to him, the media must avoid framing that corners or blames victims of violence.
"The media is very important for raising women’s issues as public issues, not just domestic ones. We must also avoid victim-blaming framing so that partiality towards victims can continue to be encouraged," he said.
Dede assessed that reporting which is sensitive to victims can encourage more survivors to dare to report the cases they experience without fear of being stigmatised by society.
Meanwhile, Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Chatarina Pancer Istiyani revealed that her institution’s study of more than 400 reports on sexual violence cases in online media still found sensational journalistic practices that have the potential to harm victims.
"There are still so many journalists reporting sexual violence cases in a sensational manner. The chronology is so detailed. This teaches the public and bequeaths violence to society," she said.
She also highlighted the persistence of reporting that places too much emphasis on the identity or background of the victim, thereby creating stereotypes and reinforcing the practice of victim blaming.
As an improvement effort, Komnas Perempuan has compiled a guidebook titled ‘Writing with Empathy and Responsibility’ which can serve as a reference for press personnel in implementing gender-sensitive journalism.
Media Indonesia News Director Abdul Kohar stated that the media has a responsibility to present reporting that does not add to the psychological burden of victims and prioritises humanitarian principles in every coverage of violence against women.
According to him, the media not only functions to convey information but is also part of the effort to build public awareness to protect vulnerable groups and fight for justice for victims.
"Collaboration between the media and Komnas Perempuan is important to strengthen public education while ensuring that reporting on violence against women is carried out ethically and with a gender perspective," said Kohar.