Journalists and communication officers from across North Macedonia sharpened their skills in ethical and gender-sensitive reporting on human trafficking cases during a capacity-building training organised by the European Union and Council of Europe. The session, delivered in cooperation with the Association of Journalists and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), aimed to equip media professionals with practical tools to report responsibly while safeguarding victims’ personal data and privacy.

North Macedonia has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings in 2009, committing to the protection of victims of human trafficking. Yet, reporting on human trafficking cases remains complex, requiring careful balancing of the public’s right to information with victims’ privacy and personal data, as well as victim-oriented approach when reporting such cases. During the training, participants explored the challenges and responsibilities of covering human trafficking cases.

Marijana MARUSIC-KOS, the Council of Europe consultant, stressed the importance of protecting victim’s privacy. “The non-disclosure of the victim’s personal data overrides the public interest. Reporting without sensationalism, without photos, scenes of suffering, or identifiable information about the victim means respecting ethical values, and protecting the victim from re-traumatisation”, said MARUSIC-KOS.

The activity provided journalists and communication officers with the opportunity to better understand the victim’s perspective in human trafficking cases, strengthen their ethical and gender-sensitive reporting skills and enhance understanding of safeguarding victims’ personal data and privacy. Since a multi-disciplinary approach is key to successful prevention and fight against human trafficking, the training also promoted dialogue, co-operation and networking between institutions and media actors, when reporting on trafficking and gender-based violence cases.

This initiative was organised within actions “Strengthening anti - trafficking action in North MacedoniaStrengthening anti - trafficking action in North Macedonia” and “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia (PRO-FREX)” which are part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.