A case has recently emerged whereby a journalist was surreptitiously recorded by a man while she was writing a story. The man, a Muslim, confessed to having caught video and photographed her without her consent. He subsequently put these recordings in WhatsApp groups. This move has posed grave privacy, trust, and field journalist safety concerns.
The journalist was conducting her profession when a man started secretly recording. When confronted, he initially denied the accusations. But after further questioning, he confessed that he had indeed taken the videos and photos. That was his explanation: He thought the journalist was conspiring against Muslims, and therefore acted in the manner he did.
The journalist said she was horrified and frustrated to be taken against her will. She had been doing it right, and the recording which took place in secret didn't just infringe her rights, it compromised the credibility of what she had been doing. All these recordings being posted on WhatsApp groups multiplied the damage, as false information was being spread about her motives, and there was unnecessary suspicion.
This incident speaks to a bigger problem journalists face now. Most reporters operate in sensitive circumstances in which mistrust and fear are breeding grounds for hostility. Secret recordings and leaking of material unauthorized use can ruin an organization’s reputation and imperil journalists. It also opens up an important question: In what way can misinformation spread through social media and messaging platforms, swaying public opinion without sufficient background?
It’s a privacy violation to record a person without their permission. Having such material shared in groups exposes others to potential defamation and harassment. Journalists do have their job of disseminating the news to society which people rely on and shouldn't get accused of that. At the same time the communities of the area, as well, should know that suspicion and fear shouldn't excuse bad behavior.
As we learn from the incident, such an incident is one of privacy for privacy, and of support for journalists to work while they are doing a journalist. People may have a very strong belief, however, that should never bring about another harm or misinformation. Trust, dialogue, and accountability are the foundations of peace and for journalism to serve society responsibly.
