The police in St. Kitts-Nevis are calling on media practitioners to adhere to “sound ethical practices and the law” when reporting on sexual offences following allegations that law enforcement officials were engaged in a cover-up of an alleged rape.
Police have since arrested and charged one person in connection with the matter.
Journalist should exercise responsibility
But in a statement, the police said it has come to the realization that some media houses here may not be familiar with the relevant legislation regarding sexual offences and urged journalists to exercise responsibility when reporting on sexual matters.
“Sexual offences are extremely sensitive in nature. There are many factors, both current and those that may arise in the future, that media entities should take into consideration when publishing information relating to such crimes.
“Editors should be guided by their journalistic training, sound ethical practices and the law to ensure that all information published does not have an adverse effect on the victim, the case, or the accused if exonerated, and it should also comply with the laws of the land,” the police said in the statement.
The statement was accompanied by the relevant section of the Offences Against the Person Act which speaks to reporting on sexual offences.
According to the law, a person’s name charged with a sexual offence which is likely to lead the public to identify a person as the complainant or as the accused, shall either be published in a written publication or be broadcast in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The legislation warns that a person who publishes or broadcasts any matter contrary to this, commits an offense and is liable eon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding EC$5000 or imprisonment of a term not exceeding two years.
According to the legislation, offences include rape, defilement of a female under 16 years, indecent assault, sodomy, incest, any offence involving children, and any attempt to commit any of these offences.
