The way in which the media covers information about human trafficking is important, not only to learn more about this crime, but also to understand how it operates, the degree of vulnerability of survivors, and how they are revictimized and stigmatized. Human trafficking is a global problem that we have been working on for a long time. Based on complaints from audiences, news monitoring and consultation with specialists, we were able to confirm that human trafficking is a phenomenon that is completely invisible in the media. And, when it appears, it is always shown in the police section, without a human rights approach or a gender perspective. With this initial diagnosis, we decided to take on the commitment to propose tools to strengthen the skills of the media, promote the visibility of this issue in the media agenda and contribute to the prevention of this crime.

In this vein, we began a round of consultations to draft “Recommendations for journalistic coverage of the crime of human trafficking” and we called together journalists, specialists, representatives of organizations linked to the subject, lawyers and researchers, among others. During these meetings we were able to verify that the crime of trafficking occurs in numerous areas in several countries and takes various forms. Hence the importance of having specific knowledge to, among other things, offer accurate coverage and protect the integrity of those who were or are victims of human trafficking, and their surroundings. These recommendations seek to provide tools for journalistic work, offer clarifications on concepts and guidelines on how to show certain aspects of this subject in the media.

1) Make human trafficking visible as a complex crime. Show the existence of the crime, its complexity and the phases necessary for its commission.

2) Understand the personal and socioeconomic factors that can lead to the crime. It is important to address the vulnerable situations in which potential victims of the crime of trafficking may find themselves because these are often conditions exploited by traffickers and criminal organizations. But taking this into account does not mean reproducing discriminatory messages based on place of birth, age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

3) Disseminate information for prevention. The crime of human trafficking involves: the offer, recruitment, transfer or reception and/or shelter of victims, and in some cases it can occur through violent means, coercion or deception. Although not all of these actions or phases always occur, the crime usually begins with the offer and recruitment. Making this information known to audiences helps prevent the crime. 

4) Distinguish human trafficking from other crimes and do not confuse trafficking situations with other types of situations. A precise description of the crimes contributes to a better understanding by the audiences. Likewise, it is advisable not to confuse sex work, which is not punishable by Argentine law, with trafficking for sexual exploitation.

5) Incorporate the topic into the news agenda on a permanent basis. Offer comprehensive coverage that gives continuity to the topic on the media agenda. Explain that the problem does not begin or end with a raid on a site of human exploitation.

6) Prioritize the protection of victims' rights. Media exposure of victims can expose them to the risk of reprisals, to their detriment and that of their families and communities. It is necessary that coverage take into account the right of people to preserve their identity, their image, their honor and their privacy.

7) Do not criminalize victims of trafficking. These victims may be involved in various illegal conducts, such as participation in the offering, recruitment, or exploitation of other victims, the production, transportation or marketing of drugs, minor crimes, immigration violations, among others. It is especially recommended to avoid approaches that criminalize victims of trafficking, based on the need to strengthen their protection.

8) Disseminate relevant information for the public. For example, functions and powers of national, provincial and local agencies that have responsibilities regarding human trafficking.

9) It is suggested that news coverage not hinder or obstruct ongoing judicial investigations. The dissemination of information about people, groups or places that are being investigated can put traffickers and the organizations they are part of on notice.

10) Use precise terms to cover this topic. Some words and statements can have the effect of hiding the crime, or generating and/or reinforcing stereotypes and prejudices. Thus, it is inappropriate for labor and sexual exploitation, reduction to servitude and other forms of exploitation to be confused with “work” or “employment.” The expression “white slavery” is inappropriate: we propose to always use the phrase “trafficking and exploitation of persons.”

11) Special emphasis should be placed on disseminating situations of trafficking linked to children and adolescents and, at the same time, taking extreme precautions to protect their rights. In Argentina, work for children under 16 years of age is prohibited and the phrase “child labor” tends to conceal child labor exploitation. Furthermore, the participation of a child or adolescent in practices of sexual exploitation cannot be considered voluntary. In this sense, there are no “minors who prostitute themselves” or “child prostitution,” but rather children who are victims of sexual exploitation and therefore victims of trafficking.

12) In cases of disappearance of persons, we suggest avoiding formulating hypotheses regarding their absence or referring to them in the past tense, as if they were dead. It is essential that references to the missing person's status be corroborated with the sources responsible for the investigation and search underway. In addition, it is important to note that there is no rule that requires 24 or 48 hours to file a complaint. On the contrary, it is necessary to point out that the first few hours can be crucial if the person being sought is the victim of a crime.

13) It is recommended, in the journalistic treatment of the crime of trafficking, to include the visibility of the problem of gender violence and to show that it permeates the entire social framework and is articulated with other social relations, such as those of class, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and religion.