Study of language use and ethical gaps in reporting child abuse and child deaths in Sri Lankan newspapers

Abstract

Background: Newspapers remain a powerful medium for shaping public opinion and influencing social attitudes. When reporting on sensitive issues such as child abuse, sexual violence, and child deaths, the language and tone used by the media can significantly impact public perception. Minimizing or trivializing sexual crimes in media narratives risks normalizing these offenses within society, emphasizing the urgent need for responsible and ethical reporting. This study critically examines how contemporary newspapers in Sri Lanka report such cases, focusing on language, tone, and narrative techniques that may contribute to sensationalism, distortion, or emotional manipulation. The core problem addressed is the growing tendency to prioritize reader engagement over ethical sensitivity, where sensational headlines, emotionally charged storytelling, and objectifying descriptions risk undermining the dignity of victims and diverting attention from legal or structural accountability. Methods: Using a qualitative content analysis approach informed by critical discourse analysis, the study examines purposively selected articles from major Sinhala national newspapers Divaina, Dinamina, Mawbima, Lankadeepa, Aruna, and Ada published between October 2024 and June 2025. The analysis was supported by secondary data, including scholarly literature on media ethics, child rights, and journalistic standards. The study focused on evaluating word choice, tone, headline construction and narrative framing. Results: Key findings reveal that child abuse and sexual crimes are often reported in ways that sensationalize the events or subtly shift blame onto victims. Language describing female victims frequently reflects gender bias, with an undue focus on physical appearance. Reports on child deaths tend to emphasize emotional narratives over investigative rigor. Importantly, minimizing the seriousness of sexual crimes in media coverage may contribute to societal desensitization and the normalization of such offenses. This underscores the critical need for responsible and ethically grounded journalistic practices. Additionally, there are notable ethical inconsistencies across newspapers, indicating a lack of standardized guidelines for reporting on sensitive issues involving children. Conclusion: The study concludes that responsible journalism must move beyond sensationalism to prioritize justice, protection, and public awareness. It calls for the development of national media policies, editorial training, and strict adherence to ethical standards to ensure that the reporting of child abuse and child deaths promotes accountability and supports vulnerable individuals rather than contributing to their exploitation or public misunderstanding.