APPEAL of the Press Council to Journalists and Media Outlets

Having analyzed how some media outlets have been recently covering the topics related to online games that instigate teenagers to suicide;
 
taking into account the opinions and recommendations of specialists in psychology and prevention of suicide;
 
understanding that journalists’ intention when writing on such topics is to help protect teenagers and prevent tragedies;
 
being aware that suicide is a highly sensitive topic, which is difficult to cover;
 
members of the Press Council of the Republic of Moldova appeal to journalists and media managers:
 

• to address with the utmost caution topics related to the risk of involving children in secret and dangerous virtual games, so as not to create panic in society;
• to refrain from speculation, exaggerations and generalizations and to operate with facts, using a neutral language;
• to avoid publishing names, hashtags and detailed description of dangerous games, as recommended by psychologists;
• to avoid sensational headlines and shocking images, in the desire to artificially increase the interest of readers;
• not to make public the names, pictures or other data regarding the identity of the victims or potential victims of dangerous virtual games;
• to take into account the ethical rules, as described in the “Guide of Style with ethical rules for journalists” and the “Guide of Good Journalistic Practice. Media Coverage of Suicide”;
• in case of necessity, in order to avoid mistakes, to consult with specialists when preparing journalistic materials.