The Dispute Resolution Council of the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka released the violations of the Editors’ Code, monitored by the PCCSL Secretariat, for the Year 2021 published in national newspapers in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. There were in all 64 violations for the Year under review.

 

Of the 64 violations, Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing had 55 violations, Clause 7. Privacy had 06 violations and Clause 2. Accurate Reporting had 03 violations.

 

Clause 2. Accurate Reporting – total 3 violations

 

Sub Clause 2.1: The media must take all reasonable care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorting news. (3 violations).

 

6. General Reporting and Writing – total 55 violations

 

Sub clause 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest. (14 violations).

 

Sub Clause 6.2: In reporting accounts of crime or criminal case, publications shall not, unless it is both legally permitted and in the public interest – (4 violations)

 

6.2 (i). Name victims of sex crimes. (2 violations).

 

Sub Clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story. (22 violations)  

 

Sub clause 6.5: Excessive details of suicide given in story. (13 violations)

 

Clause 07. Privacy – total 6 violations

 

Sub Clause 7.1: The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals. (6 violations).

 

The Dispute Resolution Council has repeatedly informed editors and journalist through the PCCSL that they must be more vigilant at the stage of copy editing to prevent hurt for the individual concerned and embarrassment for the newspaper when it is pointed out.

 

Please see detail chart of violations below.

 

January

Nothing to report

 

February

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
Feb. 02, 2021	Usage of the word ‘Muslim’ to describe a man.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Feb. 03, 2021	Reference to a doctor treating COVID-19 patients who has died as, ‘Corona Doctor’.	Clause 2. Accurate Reporting. Sub Clause 2.1: The media must take all reasonable care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorting news.

 

March

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
March 01, 2021	Photograph of female LTTE child soldier along with Mrs. Balasingham. Facial features recognizable and not mentioned that it is an old file photograph.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 04, 2021	Photograph of headless murdered woman in traveling bag.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 04, 2021	Photograph of headless murdered woman in traveling bag.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 04, 2021	Steps of suicide of Police SI who is main suspect in murder of woman in traveling bag, given.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5:  Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
March 09, 2021	Details of suicide by father of 4 children given. He used a bed sheet to hang himself from a bridge.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5:  Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
March 10, 2021	Muslim Principal of Tamil School sexually abuses girl.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
March 07 & 14, 2021 respectively	Suicide photo of man hanging from a tree. He is the main suspect in murdered woman in travelling bag.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 12, 2021	Lead story of Muslim businessman burned in his car.	Clause 06. General reporting and writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
March 19, 2021	Photograph of dead drug lord, ‘Keselwatte Dinuka’, in Dubai. Face is visible with cotton wool stuffed in nose	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 25, 2021	Substance consumed in suicide mentioned.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
March 26, 2021	Published photos of two burn bodies of husband and wife in addition to excessive details of suicide given. story	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used. Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
March 27, 2021	Published photos of two burn bodies of husband and wife in addition to excessive details of suicide given. story	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used. Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.

 

April  

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
April 06, 2021	Girl (15) gives birth to baby. Name of School in Hatton and class Grade 11 mentioned	Clause 07. Privacy Sub Clause 7.1: The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals.
April 06, 20211	Girl (5) raped by boy (15). Details leading to identity of victim given.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause 6.2: In reporting accounts of crime or criminal case, publications shall not, unless it is both legally permitted and in the public interest – 6.2 (i). Name victims of sex crimes.

 

May

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
May 06, 2021	Publish photos of killed underworld leader Riyad. Bleeding and injured body.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
May 07, 2021	Story about nomination of new Attorney General. Name was proposed to the President by the Parliamentary Council and not the Constitutional Council.	Clause 2. Accurate Reporting. Sub Clause 2.1: The media must take all reasonable care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorting news.

 

June

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
June 01	The body of a Muslim woman was taken to Batticaloa for cremation.  Mentioned her as a Muslim women.	Clause 06. General reporting and writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
June 04	An incident was described in-depth giving rise to emotional and painful feelings.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
June 13	Misleading information concerning date of lifting of lock down. However, lockdown was extended.	Clause 02. Accuracy Sub Clause 2.1: The media must take all reasonable care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorting news.
June 27	Article mentions that two Tamil people along with a Sub Inspector were arrested with a haul of drugs.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
June 27	Article mentions that two Tamil people along with a Sub Inspector were arrested with a haul of drugs.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
June 28	Headline says, Corona lady in Bibile Hospital bitten by dog dies.	Clause 07. Privacy Sub Clause 7.1: The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals.
June 28	Headline says dog bites two Corona ladies in Morawaka Hospital.	Clause 07. Privacy Sub Clause 7.1: The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals.
June 29	Muslim woman caught selling drugs in Negombo.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.

 

July

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
July 11, 2021	Sri Lankan Tamil Woman commits suicide by jumping in front of a train.  Mention of Tamil (race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
July 12, 2021.	Muslim doctor took photos of lady doctor having a bath in the hostel. Mention of Muslim (race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 12, 2021.	Muslim doctor took photos of lady doctor having a bath in the hostel. Mention of Muslim (race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 18, 2021.	Two Muslim businessman also involved in rape case of under-aged girl (15). Mention of Muslim(race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 20, 2021	Large photograph of LTTE child soldiers published. The faces are recognisable. Nowhere is it mentioned that it is a library photograph and the eyes blackened.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub clause: 6.1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
July 20, 2021,	Muslim woman collecting  information in COVID-19 center. Mention of Muslim(race)	Clause 6.1: General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 20, 2021,	Muslim woman collecting  information in COVID-19 center. Mention of Muslim(race)	Clause 6.1: General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 21, 2021,	Girl commits suicide following rape by father by eating Niyagala seeds.	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
July 21, 2021,	Wariyapola student commits suicide because of difficulty in studying online. She hanged herself. Details of hanging given.	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
July 23, 2021	Melbourne couple jailed for enslaving Tamil woman.  Mention of Tamil (race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
July 28, 2021	Tamil boy killed in Australian Fire. Mention of Tamil (race)	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.

 

August

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
August 19	Describe suicide story in the house	Clause 6.General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.

 

September

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
Sept. 08, 2021	Mention of missing woman (25) in Nuwara Eliya as a Tamil person.	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Sep 15, 2021	Hand grenade in the wash room in Lanka Hospital. Use of word Tamil boy, from Trincomalee arrested.	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Sep 16, 2021	Trincomalee Tamil boy arrested regarding bomb case in Narahenpita Hospital	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Sep 16, 2021	Trincomalee Tamil boy arrested regarding bomb case in Narahenpita Hospital	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Sep 22, 2021,	Husband remanded killed Corona wife	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause: 6.4 (ii): ii. It must avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Sept. 28, 2021	A young female doctor died in London due to drowning mentioned as a Tamil.	Clause 6. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.

 

October

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
Oct. 05,2021	Excessive details given in story about man who committed suicide by hanging himself with the use of a bed sheet in Gothatuwa.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
Oct. 07, 2021	Millionaire Tamil businessman arrested over Sathosa garlic scam.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.
Oct. 07, 2021,	Three people handling cots were promoted to DIG.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause 6.4: (i): The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to a person’s race, colour, religion, sex
Oct. 13, 2021,	Steps explained of how a student committed suicide in the kitchen.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
Oct. 13, 2021,	Steps explained of how a student committed suicide in the kitchen.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
Oct. 14, 2021	Photograph of dead infant 1 ½ months old.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause: 6. 1:The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
Oct. 15, 2021	Two Iranian nationals commit suicide drinking alcohol-based sanitizer. The word ‘sanitizer’ should not be used.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
Oct. 18, 2021	Photograph clearly shows two dead bodies lying on the ground.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub Clause: 6. 1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.

 

November

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
Nov. 02, 2021	Father allegedly rapes daughter of estate in Nuwara Eliya. Father’s name and place of incident mentioned.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub Clause 6.2: In reporting accounts of crime or criminal case, publications shall not, unless it is both legally permitted and in the public interest – i. Name victims of sex crimes.  Clause 07. Privacy. Sub clause 7.1:  The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals,
Nov. 16, 2021	Photograph of dead man as a result of an accident between a three wheeler and a motor bicycle.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub Clause: 6. 1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
Nov. 23, 2021	Photograph shows the body of a youth lying on the ground with relatives by the side while PCR is being carried out. Face of youth is easily distinguishable.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub Clause: 6. 1: The press should take special care to present facts, opinions, photographs and graphics with due sensitivity and discretion, subject to its duty to publish in the public interest.
Nov. 25, 2021	Woman drinks mosquito repellant (poison) and commits inside prison in Galle.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub clause 6.1: Excessive detail of the method used should not be disclosed.

 

December

Date	Description of violation	Clause violated
Dec. 17, 2021	Daughter raped by father at Despod, Kataragama, It mention father’s name and place of residence.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub Clause 6.2: In reporting accounts of crime or criminal case, publications shall not, unless it is both legally permitted and in the public interest – i. Name victims of sex crimes.  Clause 07. Privacy Sub clause 7.1: The press shall exercise particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals.
Dec. 17, 2021	Daughter raped by father at Despod, Kataragama, It mention father’s name and place of residence.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing. Sub Clause 6.2: In reporting accounts of crime or criminal case, publications shall not, unless it is both legally permitted and in the public interest – i. Name victims of sex crimes.  Clause 07. Privacy Sub clause 7.1: Particular care to respect the private and family lives of individuals.
Dec. 17, 2021	A student of Girls’ High School in Mahanuwara commits suicide in the bathroom with the use of kerosene oil and setting herself ablaze.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.5: Care should be taken not to give excessive detail of the method used.
Dec. 20, 2021	Deceased female pre-school teacher is a Sinhalese. She was found dead in Kilinochchi.	Clause 06. General Reporting and Writing Sub clause: 6.4 (ii): The media should avoid publishing details of a person’s race, caste, religion etc., unless these are directly relevant to the story.

 

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