On Don Nasser case and names of crime victims and ‘innocent relatives’

On Wednesday, a reader who had come to NMG-Uganda office at Airtel House, Wampewo Avenue to register a complaint, was given the public editor’s contacts. He called, requesting that details of a minor, who was a victim of abuse, be deleted from a court story on the case that had been published online (see, “Socialite Don Nasser drugged, sexually abused minor, court told” – Daily Monitor, November 27).

I asked him to send me a text message and share the link since I was on the road, promising to review and revert in an hour.He sent the following text: “I am Prosper Akankwatsa. Please remove my name and the girl’s details, her schools, residential address, etc. Please edit!”I reviewed the story and responded thus: “The victim (girl) is not named.

Only suspects are named. Are you the victim’s relative?” The latter question was to fully understand the context of the complaint. He called back right away and said: “You are a very stupid man! I thought you understand and I respected you but I didn’t know you are stupid!”I took it in, telling him there was no big problem with the story warranting the edits he has asked for. The victim was not identified. I hang up to keep my peace. He shortly sent other WhatsApp message: “That’s my sister’s daughter. My name is okay but don’t write the victim’s details; schools and where she was staying in Qatar”. I didn’t engage any further. It is understandable that this is a very emotional story for the family of the victim. However, calling people stupid because one hasn’t had their way is not a smart thing. Both the reporter and editors applied themselves professionally in handling this story as per the NMG Editorial Policy Guidelines.

The public editor, too, applied himself professionally in reviewing the complaint and reaching a verdict. With clarity of his relationship now established, the complainant could have indeed benefited from a clause in the editorial policy about “innocent relatives and friends”. But he threw it all away in his immodest conduct; in the barrage of insults!For the benefit of our readers, and the complainant, this is what NMG editorial policy says on the issue in question: “Victims(i) When we give the names and identities of victims of accidents or incidents on air, we should adopt an appropriate tone and maintain an atmosphere of solemnity.

Journalists should be mindful of the fact that members of the family may be hearing about the death or injury of a close relative for the first time from our broadcast.

(ii) We should not identify the victims of sexual crimes. The only exception to this would be where the victim explicitly waives their right to anonymity. If they do that their consent should be recorded.”And below is what the editorial policy states on innocent relatives/friends: “Innocent relatives and friends. We should generally avoid identifying relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime, or otherwise unfavorably featured in news stories, unless the reference to them is necessary for the full, fair and accurate reporting of the crime, legal or other proceedings.” That said, court reporting is straight-jacketed. “

Journalists are generally allowed to report anything which is said or given as evidence in court. They do not have to check whether the evidence given is true, but they must report correctly what was said as evidence.” – www.ipso.co.ukMr Akankwatsa was mentioned in the court documents in the narration of the sequence of events around the crime. That context was properly captured in the story. Yes, leaving his name out may not have taken anything away of the story.

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READERS HAVE THEIR SAY

Ben Matsiko Kahunga: The East African is a regional/global newspaper. Why is payment for online subscribers only limited to Kenya? Can’t we have it the way it is for Daily Monitor?Public Editor: I referred this to the digital team – Emma Waiswa and Eric Makanga.

They explain that on the contrary, one can in fact subscribe to The East African from anywhere in East Africa by simply selecting the country (Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania), and currency options of their choice and the relevant mobile money platforms. Readers can opt to pay with an electronic card, or mobile money.

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