The Child's Right to Privacy Within the Framework of Disaster Journalism and Ethıcs: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

The media plays a crucial role in disaster situations by generating a substantial amount of news and informing the public. While the need for information surges during such times, it is paramount that disaster reporting is conducted within the framework of ethical considerations. However, there are instances where media outlets prioritize commercial interests over ethical practices in their coverage of disasters. Examples such as disregard for the right to privacy of victims, portraying death and suffering as mere numbers, and providing unnecessary details about the deaths of victims are frequently encountered during disaster periods. This study aims to examine the news coverage about children related to the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquake within the framework of disaster journalism and ethics, focusing on the right to privacy. A total of 556 news articles about children, published in Sabah, Hürriyet, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet, Yeni Şafak, and Sözcü newspapers during the 7-day national mourning period (February 7-13, 2023) declared after the earthquake, were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods. The findings reveal that children's privacy rights were violated through the overt publication of their identities and photographs, neglecting their best interests. The news stories often objectified children, utilizing them as instruments to amplify dramatic impact. It can be argued that these reports primarily served public interest rather than upholding public good.