Work to begin with stakeholders on non-legislative
measures following consultation.
The responses to a public consultation on media reporting of
child homicide victims have been published.
The 12-week consultation sought views on possible legislative and
non-legislative approaches to reduce trauma that media reporting
of child homicide cases can cause grieving loved-ones.
The consultation heard from bereaved families, victim support
organisations, children's organisations, media and legal
organisations and legal academics.
After careful consideration of the responses, the Scottish
Government has concluded that legislation would not be an
effective way of dealing with the complexities of media reporting
on child homicide cases. The consultation made clear there would
be serious difficulties in developing legislation that could
strike a balance between privacy rights and freedom of
expression, and also be practically enforced.
The Scottish Government will now work with stakeholders on
non-legislative measures that could improve the experiences of
families affected by reporting on child homicide cases. This
includes supporting the development of guidance for journalists
by media, victims organisations and regulators; exploring the
potential for journalism courses, newsrooms or regulators to
offer bespoke training for journalists; and working with Victim
Support Scotland to consider how media guidance provided to
bereaved families could be enhanced.
Justice Secretary said:
“I have great sympathy for the distress felt by bereaved families
in child homicide cases, which can be compounded by the
significant media attention that such cases attract, often well
beyond the death and any court case if there is one.
“I am grateful to everyone who responded to the consultation for
their thoughtful, reasoned and heartfelt views, which I
considered very carefully. What is clear is that there needs to
be more sensitive media reporting in child homicide cases, while
striking a balance between a right to privacy and freedom of
expression.
“I do not consider that legislation would be an effective way of
dealing with the complexities of reporting on child homicide
cases, or flexible enough to cover the diverse circumstances of
cases and the people affected by them. Any legislative approach
would also likely criminalise ordinary human responses to the
tragedy of a child's death, such as public tributes.
“However, I understand that more could be done to highlight the
impact on families and we will work with stakeholders on a range
of non-legislative actions.”
Background
Consultation on media reporting on child
homicide victims and next steps
