Ethical Approaches to Covering Stories of Those Freed from Russian Captivity: How to Speak Carefully and Respectfully
In contemporary Ukrainian media, increasing awareness emphasizes the importance of reporting on the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity with sensitivity and responsibility.
The roundtable discussion titled “Do No Harm: Ethical Coverage of Releases from Russian Enslavement,” organized by the Civil Liberties Centre in partnership with the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner Treatment and the Mass Information Institute, has become a vital platform for debating standards and guidelines in this sensitive area.
Participants highlighted several key aspects: balancing the public’s right to know with the imperative to avoid harm, choosing appropriate language, implementing unified editorial standards, and ensuring ecological communication among all involved parties — released individuals, their relatives, government agencies, and journalists.
Special attention was paid to when and how to tell the stories of those who have returned, as dissemination of such narratives can have both educational and traumatic effects.
Specialists in rehabilitation stressed the need to respect individual mental states, avoid intrusive questions, and support their reintegration without added pressure.
This is crucial in international communication to prevent language that diminishes human dignity, such as terms like ‘exchange’ or ‘item.’ Additionally, it was agreed that stories should be shared cautiously to avoid awakening malicious interests, worsening the safety of the released persons, or deepening psychological trauma.
Equally important is the proper preparation before interviews: understanding the individual’s status, physical and mental condition, and ensuring voluntary participation, with rigorous consent procedures.
Content should be based on the principle of ‘do no harm,’ respecting the person’s psychological and physical state, and avoiding questions about how they were captured or details of torture, which could humiliate or retraumatize them.
Particular care must be taken with details involving sexual violence in captivity, presenting such information with dignity and sensitivity.
Journalists and media personnel are encouraged to create content that supports advocacy efforts without sensationalism, maintaining honesty and empathy.
It is also vital to avoid asking questions that could jeopardize the safety of the individual or their relatives, such as ‘with whom did you make friends in captivity’ or ‘why were you specifically released.’ Overall, team members emphasized the media’s role in shaping public understanding and international support, highlighting their responsibility to portray these stories with respect and truthfulness.
Responsible reporting will strengthen trust, protect victims’ dignity, and promote worldwide awareness of Russian crimes and atrocities in Ukraine.