Deaths of Ukrainian soldiers constitute a subject that is frequently present in the media yet still complicated in professional and moral terms. When dealing with human grief, journalists need advice on an ethical approach to covering death. The decision to develop these recommendations was prompted by requests to the Commission on Journalistic Ethics to clarify the ethics of covering military funeral ceremonies, among other things.
Farewell ceremonies for Ukrainian soldiers are events that cause a lot of pain to loved ones and fellow soldiers, but they are also publicly important, which encourages journalists to cover them. The following recommendations will help to maintain a balance between private life and socially significant news and to be delicate about the feelings of loved ones, as well as of the audience.
1. Show humanity and refrain from exacerbating the grief of loved ones. Cover only verified facts about the dead; refrain from intensifying emotions (“he went through inhuman torment”), avoid retelling rumors.
2. Respect the right to privacy. Contact the relatives of the deceased in advance and ask permission to cover the ceremony. Be understanding if the family is against photos or videos: in this case, find another way to tell your audience about the ceremony. In cases where the funeral is an event of significant public interest, the family’s formal consent may not be mandatory.
3. Excessive focus on tragic details gives away sensationalism and manipulating the audience’s emotions: for example, when most of the time the viewers see the casket with the body, the moments when the casket is lowered into the grave, close-up shots of loved ones while saying goodbye. The ethical approach would be not to show shocking details but to convey the general atmosphere of the ceremony.
4. Another common mistake is to focus on the external attributes of the funeral ceremony instead of the merits of the deceased. Avoid focusing on the grief, and choose to speak about the memory, about the role of the fallen in the defense of our country.
5. Journalists often use speeches delivered at memorial services as the basis for their materials. Such speeches usually contain general phrases and do little to show the personality of the fallen soldier. Press releases by the authorities can be used as a news hook to create your own story. Give preference to personal interviews with people who knew the soldier, who can tell you about their actions and views. Ask questions, look for new information instead of just relying on the press release.
6. When covering soldiers’ deaths, equal attention should be paid to men and women, avoiding the stereotypical focus on the family status or personal dreams. Avoid clichés that reinforce gender roles: “dreamed of a wedding” for women or “died a hero” for men. Tell stories with equality in mind, emphasizing professional accomplishments and personal qualities without gender bias. Keep in mind that the deceased may have been part of the LGBTQI+ community. Present information sensitively, without homophobic statements. While describing the partners of the deceased soldiers, avoid focusing on heteronormative standards. Use inclusive language and acknowledge the diversity of family and personal relationships.
7. Dress appropriately, be discreet, refrain from using your phone or speaking loudly during the ceremony. Do not interfere, do not push people out of the way to get a good shot. Work as inconspicuously as possible, using equipment that enables you to shoot and record from a distance.
8. The fact that the deceased was a public figure does not mean that the relatives also choose publicity. It is unethical to record interviews with underage children of the deceased right at the cemetery, but it may be appropriate to visit the family after some time after the funeral. Be attentive to the family of the deceased not only on the day of the funeral.
9. Journalists find it difficult to write about someone who had problems with the law or a family conflict in their lifetime. Do not mix up military service, job prior to military draft, and family relationships. Information about the soldier’s relatives and relationships is private and can only be published with consent — even if you feel that telling a story of a conflict in the family will make your story stronger. You can mention issues encountered by the deceased in their lifetime, but only include relevant facts.
10. Journalists who cover traumatic events, such as funerals, or communicate with families of the dead and those who went missing should take care of their own mental health; editors-in-chief and media organizations should develop interventions for psychological assistance to their staff. This prevents burnout and other psychological problems experienced by media workers during wartime.
This material was published within the project by the Commission on Journalistic Ethics with the support of UNESCO and the people of Japan. This publication does not constitute the official expression of any opinion on the part of UNESCO regarding the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or their authorities or regarding the delimitation of their borders or boundaries. The authors bear the sole responsibility for the selection and presentation of facts contained herein and for the opinions expressed herein, which do not necessarily belong to UNESCO and do not impose any obligations on the Organization