Violation of victims’ rights: When trauma becomes media content
Summary
Survivors of the Bhotekoshi flood were repeatedly questioned on camera in ways that risked retraumatising them and turning grief into content. The piece argues that disaster reporting must balance public interest with dignity, privacy and trauma-informed practice.
Key Points
- Survivors of the Bhotekoshi flood were asked painful questions repeatedly in front of cameras, sometimes breaking down while reliving their losses.
- The article argues that journalism must balance public interest with privacy, dignity and the obligation to minimise harm.
- Experts warn that repeated exposure to traumatic questioning and intrusive filming can deepen anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
- Newsrooms and platforms are urged to adopt trauma-informed training, clearer consent practices and stronger ethical standards.
