1. Independent CTHB consultant Vice-Chair
Selected Manuals, Guidelines, Recommendations – What is there for Professional Journalists to Follow while Reporting on Human Trafficking Cases
Vera Gracheva
Independent CTHB consultant
Vice-Chair
Foundation against Digital Threats, Modern Slavery,
Kidnappings and Exploitation
Russia

2. Media as a strong social partner - its role cannot be overestimated in the prevention of modern slavery. Media is: - instrumental in raising awareness of the public at large; - in attracting attention of the authorities to the issue; - in changing the overall attitude towards trafficked persons; - in creating the climate of intolerance towards all forms of exploitation. Media has the capacity to improve the response of states and people to this crime and promote the human rights-based approach in Prosecution, Prevention, Protection and Partnerships.

3. Only if...
ONLY if journalists themselves are fully aware of the scope and features of trafficking;
ONLY if they adhere to the protection of human rights of the victims and observe the confidentiality and “Do no harm” principles and refrain from sensationalism;
ONLY if they know how to treat the victims (especially children) in case they are to be interviewed;
ONLY if they know all the basics of “DO’s” and DON'Ts.

4. Ways to improve
Online and hard copy manuals - to provide a full and updated picture of THB - to equip journalists and others with correct, powerful and ethical tools to accomplish their mission and contribute to the eradication of THB.

5. Manuals specifically designed for the media faculties
Manuals specifically designed for the media faculties. Some of them do have separate THB-related chapters UNESCO-2013

6. Principles and guidelines on ethical reporting directly related to THB
WHO-2003

7. UNICEF Principles and Guidelines on Ethical Reporting on Children 2003
Press centre Reporting guidelines

8. International Federation of Journalisms (IFJ)
2009

9. International Federation of Journalism Guidelines on Children Reporting The Ethical Journalism Initiative 2009

10. The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking
The Role of the Media in Building Images, 2008

11. UN.GIFT
How to Cover Human Trafficking Stories? UN.GIFT Knowledge Hub How to cover human trafficking stories? 2008

12. Technology and Human Trafficking, 2008
UN.GIFT
Technology and Human Trafficking, 2008

13. Trafficking in Human Beings: Internet Recruitment, 2007
Council of Europe
Trafficking in Human Beings: Internet Recruitment, 2007

14. Manuals for multiple stakeholders on combating THB
UNODC Toolkit on Combating Trafficking in Persons, 2006

15. Manuals for multiple stakeholders on combating THB
The Resource Book for Law Enforcement Officers on Good Practices in Combating Child Trafficking, 2005

16. Manuals for multiple stakeholders on combating THB
Manual for Turkmenistan Law Enforcement on Combating THB, 2009

17. UNICEF, UNMIK and the Government of Kosovo
Let’s Talk. Developing effective communication with child victims of abuse and human trafficking. Practical Handbook for social workers, police and other professionals, 2004

18. Manuals for journalists on specific forms of trafficking or specific vulnerable target groups
Save the Children: Responding to Child Trafficking. An Introductory Handbook on child rights-based interventions drawn from experiences in Southeast Europe 2004

19. Manuals by national NGOs or state bodies, supported by IOs
ASTRA: Human Trafficking Manual for Journalists, 2008

20. Manuals by national NGOs or state bodies, supported by IOs
EQUAL Community Initiative Project “ASPIDDA: Combating Exploitation – Creating Perspective”: Trafficking in Human Beings and Greek Mass Media. Guide for Journalists, 2007

21. Manuals by national NGOs or state bodies, supported by IOs
Manual of Reporting of Cases of Trafficking and Violence against Women in Albania, 2014

22. Manuals from Other parts of the Globe
UNESCO’s/UNMIT: Human Rights Handbook for Journalists in Timor- Leste, 2013

23. Manuals from Other Parts of the Globe
Accountable Journalism: Empowering Children in the Media: Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media, 2014
EU and Save the Children
Developed with children, journalists, editors,
and media professionals for African media

24. Manuals from Other Parts of the Globe
UNDP’s Office in India: Media Handbook "Not her real name…", Reporting Trafficking in Persons 2006

25. Russian language manuals
OSCE Project Coordinator’s Office in Ukraine: Освещение в средствах массовой информации проблемы торговли людьми. Пособие для журналистов, 2007 (Media Reporting on THB. Handbook for Journalists, 2007)

26. Russian language manuals
Торговля людьми (траффикинг) Пособие для преподавателей и студентов, 2013 (Trafficking in Human Beings, Handbook for students and high- school teachers)
Yerevan University

27. Russian language manuals
Union of Russian Journalists (NGO), Faculty of Journalism, Moscow State University, OSCE: СМИ против ТЛ”, 2013 (The Media against Human Trafficking)

28. English-language literature
Trace Project: Review of the media framing of human trafficking, 2014

29. Guidelines and codes of ethics adopted by international and national Media community
International Principles of Professional Ethics in Journalism-1983; The BBC Editorial Guidelines; Agence France Presse (AFP): AFP Editorial Standards and Best Practices- 2016; ASEAN Journalists Code of Ethics

30. Conclusions
THB is “a living creature” - it easily adapts to new circumstances and develops new forms.
Regular training and up-dating is a key to respond to these new developments .
Existing manuals, handbooks and guidelines should be enriched by modern research and studies (i.a., on the role of the Internet - part of the problem and part of the solution).
- Manuals and handbooks have to be revised and updated to reflect new forms of trafficking (for example, trafficking for exploitation in terrorism) and new needs of trafficked victims .
- Media can and should do more in raising the anti-trafficking profile .
- Manuals may be perfect and advanced, but they may have no value when ignored on the ground.