Bullying is not only a social problem but also a communication problem. Experts say that the way it is talked or written about influences people’s perceptions and the measures that can prevent it. The Ministry of Education and Research recorded more than 1200 cases of bullying last year, an increase on previous years. The figure represents 15% of the total number of suspected cases of abuse reported in schools, IPN reports.
Psychologists emphasize that bullying is not only characteristic of collectives in schools and kindergartens, but can also occur online, at work, in the community and public places, as well as in the family.
The president of the Press Council, journalist Viorica Zaharia, and the director of the Doctoral School of Psychology at the Pedagogical University “Ion Creanga”, psychologist Victoria Gonta, explained to IPN how this problem can be tackled correctly in the press and beyond.
How do we write correctly about bullying?
Journalist Viorica Zaharia says that this topic “is rarely dealt with in the press and even more rarely – professionally”. The president of the Press Council explains that bullying is a sensitive subject, which requires good preparation: “Maybe that’s why some journalists avoid it, so as not to make mistakes”.
According to Viorica Zaharia, the most common mistake is a superficial approach to the subject. The Press Council examined a case in which a student, a victim of bullying, was taken by an influencer to the hairdresser, to the movies, to the mall – all of which was filmed and reported. “This is an absolutely superficial and inappropriate approach,” the journalist emphasized.
Viorica Zaharia urged journalists not to forget that the media coverage of such a case is also accessible to the victim, and that the press coverage “can cause embarrassment and amplify the sense of suffering”. The journalist also recommends avoiding discussions with the victim as much as possible, adding that a dialogue with a specialist or the parents of the bullied child is sufficient, without recognizing the identity of the victim. “We write about bullying as a phenomenon, a trend,” explained Viorica Zaharia.
As for the ethical rules specific to reporting about violence and bullying, the president of the Press Council said that they are indicated in the Journalist’s Code of Ethics and other guides and guidelines published in Moldova and abroad.
According to Viorica Zaharia, journalists can help combat bullying by publicizing campaigns to prevent the phenomenon and by informing about its seriousness and consequences. In this regard, Zaharia gave examples of how this topic should be covered in the press: https://www.moldova.org/nu-mai-pot-suporta-atata-umilinta-din-cauza-bullying-ului-unii-elevi-renunta-la-scoala-iar-altii-la-viata/ and https://www.moldova.org/ce-facem-in-cazul-bullying-ului-explica-psihologii/.
What do psychologists say about media coverage of bullying?
Cases of bullying need to be covered in the media, but in a way that is very protective of the victims. Do not expose personal details, photos or images from the scene of the incident, as this could induce a stronger fear of the victim towards the bullies, as well as fears of social stigma. This is the finding of psychologist Victoria Gonta, director of the Doctoral School of Psychology at the State Pedagogical University “Ion Creanga”.
According to the psychologist, the media can approach the subject from the perspective of social responsibility for the protection of minors from bullying and abuse, and reflect the consequences of this phenomenon.
Referring to the ways of interpersonal communication of victims of bullying with other people, Victoria Gonta points out that in a safe environment, children will behave and function in a natural and appropriate way. However, “victims will show anxiety about uncertain situations, unfamiliar or aggressive places and people, will avoid conflicts and will prefer to stay at home more, reducing social contacts”, the psychologist added.
“The signs of bullying are visible and invisible,” said Victoria Gonta. Some bullies lash out in public and the victims are withdrawn, lonely, sad and demotivated. In other cases, victims experience a hidden terror and they are anxious, lack energy, sometimes aggressive towards family members. In the long term, they can develop victimizing or aggressive behaviour, neuroses or even mental and personality disorders, explains the psychologist.
Victoria Gonta points out that victims of bullying rarely accept interviews or referrals to specialists, especially adolescents. The psychology expert pointed out that open-ended questions and lack of insistence can generate many answers and reflections from the victim.
Programs and campaigns dedicated to the fight against violence can have an educational effect on the general public, says psychologist Victoria Gonta.
