Traitement des affaires de mœurs : le CORED fustige l'exposition médiatique des parents des mis en cause
In a statement released this Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Dakar, the Council for the Observation of Ethical and Professional Standards in the Media (CORED) is sounding the alarm. The self-regulatory body "notes with regret" that systematic allusions are being made in the press to the families and relatives of individuals implicated in sex scandals.
The organization firmly reiterates that, while the right to information is fundamental, it must be exercised with "strict respect for human dignity and the privacy of individuals." To support its position, CORED cites Article 17 of the Press Code and Article 7 of the Charter of Journalists of Senegal, which require media professionals to "respect the privacy of individuals."
The statement emphasizes that journalists and media professionals must absolutely refrain from any "unnecessary intrusion into the private lives of others," particularly when those individuals become "collateral victims of media exposure of a loved one." CORED stresses that mentioning ancestry or family connections in such cases serves no public interest whatsoever.
According to the body, this practice constitutes a "serious attack on their honor and social standing," while fueling an "unjustified social stigmatization" that even a "mercantile logic cannot justify."
CORED calls on stakeholders in the sector to exercise "discernment and responsibility" in handling these sensitive cases. It also reminds them of the provisions of Article 18 of the Press Code, which requires professionals to avoid any allusions that are "discriminatory and/or stigmatizing."
As a final warning, the oversight body specifies that it remains vigilant regarding any future breaches. It also reserves the right to "refer any observed violation" of ethical and professional conduct rules to its Tribunal of Peers.
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