Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Avoid exploiting sex victims
TEENAGERS usually get a kick out of talking about sex. But in a forum yesterday, the youth showed they too are concerned about the more serious issue of sexual exploitation.
The repeated airing of sexual abuse stories and the lack of “news filters” to protect children were among the concerns raised by students at the “Sex and the Journalist” forum held at the University of the Philippines as part of Cebu Press Freedom Week.
Elisabeth, 17, of St. Theresa’s College commented that news about sexual abuse is reported every hour, which she finds “incredibly degrading” to the victim.
Exploitation also refers to the language used in the news, said Dr. Filemon Alberca.
“There should be a continuing education for both the reporters and the readers,” said Alberca.
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Radio Code warns against the use of “vulgar or obscene” language. It also reminds broadcasters that “premarital and extramarital sex shall never be condoned and sex perversion of any kind shall never be presented.”
The most common sexually related news that comes out of the media is on commercial sex workers (CSWs) arrested for prostitution. Human rights groups consider the CSWs as victims of exploitation by recruiters or pimps, yet this angle does not always get reported. The need to protect the victims’ privacy surfaced too.
Daryl of STC asked during the open forum if there is a filter for news, considering that even children now know about sex because of their exposure to media.
When reporting about sex, “sometimes information is not enough,” panelist Dr. Margarita Holmes said.
One may have to consider, for example, the differences in how girls and boys think about sex.
Holmes cited studies that show that when a girl is asked whether she is ready to lose her virginity, the usual answer is that it will depend on whether she loves her boyfriend or not. The usual answer for a boy is whether or not he can convince someone to have sex with him. (JGA)
