1. Use active voice in reporting crimes
related to gender violence.
For example: “A 32-year-old man allegedly raped a 23-year-old
woman…” instead of “a 23-year old woman was raped
by a man….”
2. Interview appropriate experts with
expertise and genuine perspective on the issue.
For example: It is important to guard against the common, but mistaken,
assumption that anyone
who works on "women's rights" is qualified to comment on
a case of gender violence; and equally important to take the trouble
to find people with the right, relevant expertise.
3. Link the specific instance
to larger issues.
For example: An incident of honour killing following an inter-caste
marriage offers an opening for commentary and features to extend to
broader questions such as the role of caste and patriarchy in such killings
or traditional beliefs and customs that have the force of law or the
absence of laws to cover many kinds of gender violence including honour
killings.
4. Undertake more follow-up stories
and stories that highlight trends.
For example: After the initial reports on a given instance of rape
or molestation, in addition to follow-up on the specifics of that
investigation and trial, ancillary reportage could highlight other
cases of sexual harassment and abuse in similar circumstances (employers,
government officials, relatives, as the case may be) or the impact
of delayed, miscarried justice or the social costs of such violence.
5. Focus attention on
the many forms of gender violence, debilitating even when they are not
dramatic.
For example: A dowry-related death or suicide may have been preceded
by other forms of domestic violence including psychological, economic
or verbal abuse. However, because certain forms of gender violence are
seen as more dramatic or newsworthy than others, they are more frequently
in the public domain. In the process, incidents of gender violence that
may have precipitated or led up to the dramatic incident in question
are often ignored.