
Every journalist wants to go on a rescue mission. But hidden from view, the human trafficking story is one of the most challenging, complex and ethically testing assignments for journalists and editors.
People who are victims of trafficking are drawn from some of the most vulnerable humans on the planet: the 40 million people who live in forms of slavery; or the 150 million children subject to child labour; or migrant workers who also number around 150 million.
The media's emphasis tends to be on what you might call the sensational side of the story, which is human trafficking for sexual purposes, commercial sexual exploitation of women and children in particular. But that's not the biggest story, that's usually to do with migrant labour and slave labour.
-- Play
-- --
Human trafficking is an organised, criminal network of people and organisations controlling the lives of people - where they live or how they live - and involves people being trafficked from one country to another to do work under controlled conditions. Anyone engaged in human trafficking is committing an offence against the human rights of an individual. Migrant smuggling is different, that's about helping people avoid the rules about entering a country.
For most people, their only experience of human trafficking will be through the headlines, but because it is a hidden crime, investigative journalists require an immense amount of resources and support to get the background and coverage right.
Covering human trafficking and modern slavery: a journalist's eight-point guide
1 Keep digging and exchange information
In every country of the world, organisations will be able to help and direct you towards information which will be useful. Do not blunder into areas without first checking out the groups in civil society or non-government organisations (NGOs) who are protecting and defending survivors of trafficking and who can be relied upon for good information. The International Labour Organisation has a wonderful set of material related to human trafficking, child labour and slave labour.
2 Follow the rules, not the most sensational story
Often, NGOs will be suspicious of journalists. They'll be worried about journalists trying to get the most sensational story themselves and exploiting individuals who have suffered enough. It's very important to follow the rules. The first thing to remember is that anyone who has been a victim of trafficking or forced migration is almost certainly a person who has been traumatised. Journalists should be sensitive to them and mindful of a duty of care to their welfare.
3 Team talk and targeted editorial strategies are essential
Media organisations should have targeted internal discussions on how to cover stories around human trafficking so that everyone in the newsroom process is aware of the need for care and sensitivity in the way the story is dealt with.
4 Survivors' voices plays a huge part in pushing a story into the mainstream
Journalists should give a voice to the survivors. We have to make sure that we're not only relying on information from people who speak for them. We want to, if we can, hear the story out of their own mouths. This helps us get closer to the story but more importantly, it helps to explain in more emotional and critical detail the experience of those who have been affected by trafficking.
For most people, their only experience of human trafficking will be through the headlines.
Aidan White, founder, Ethical Journalism Network
5 Don't traumatise survivors further
Journalists must always ask questions which are sensitive to enable people to talk freely without feeling any sense of pressure. Do not ask for information that may put people at further risk or force them to relive the tragedy or the ordeal that they've been through in such a way that you actually create a fresh nightmare for them.
You might have to interview young people, children, who have been the victims of trafficking. It's important to show the highest degree of care and sensitivity. Some people might feel flattered to have a journalist talking to them, but they should be guided not to speak on matters which may create further harm.
Create a proper environment for the interviews to be carried out. It should be subdued. We shouldn't be forcing people to fit with our image of the drama that we want to recreate.
6 Avoid images that pander to sensationalism and intrusion
Inevitably, journalists are interested in images, video and film that will capture the drama that's involved, but without care there is a danger we carry on the process of objectifying. It goes without saying that we shouldn't be using images of violence. We should not identify people whose anonymity we should respect.
Many of us are complicit in creating and maintaining the economies that allow human trafficking to be viable in the modern world.
Aidan White, Ethical Journalism Network 7 We are all directly connected to modern slavery
Look around you. Often the victims of human trafficking are where you live. We often don't realise that many of us are complicit in creating and maintaining the economies that allow human trafficking to be viable in the modern world.
Low-grade, labour-intensive industries, such as the nail parlours on the high street or car washes, places where there are lots of people doing very cheap work are common features of the modern economy. As journalists, we need to ask questions. Where are the people who are the victims of human trafficking? Where are they likely to be working? Are they on building sites where cheap labour is very often easily found? Are they working in sweat shops producing textiles?
8 Avoid linking forced labour to a broader anti-immigration agenda
We have to look at human trafficking a
Europe Stories
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
04/07/2025
The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...
04/07/2025
Friday 4 July 2025
Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8
Further...
04/07/2025
The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...
03/07/2025
For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...
03/07/2025
One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit!
Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit!
Our i...
03/07/2025
The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...
03/07/2025
What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London!
We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography.
A huge thank ...
03/07/2025
ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode
Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...
03/07/2025
** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...
03/07/2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...
03/07/2025
The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025
Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...
02/07/2025
Calrec expands ecosystem at NAB 2025 giving broadcasters access to dynamic workflows and ultimate flexibility Helping broadcasters meet the shifting needs of me...
02/07/2025
02 Jul 2025
VEON Raises USD 200 Million in Private Bond Placement Dubai, July 1, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON ), announces ...
02/07/2025
Brand new factual series follows mechanic and self-taught engineer Dom Chinea as he makes the move of his life to the far west of Cornwall
UKTV today announces...
02/07/2025
Rohde & Schwarz acquires ZES ZIMMER Electronic Systems GmbH and expands its T&M ...
02/07/2025
Wuppertal July 2, 2025
Riedel Communications Launches RefSuite Ecosystem for S...
02/07/2025
Andrew will serve as Chair of ABC alongside his role at NED, APL Media, where he supports the executive team with strategic insight and global expansion plans. ...
01/07/2025
The launch of Code of Silence, coupled with the Britains Got Talent semi final, gave ITV its best Sunday night of 2025.
The first episode of the new crime dr...
01/07/2025
ITV and Mammoth Screen have announced the start of filming for Betrayal, a gripp...
01/07/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
01/07/2025
Vocal-processing plug-in joins NOIZ Hub series
Launched in 2024, KIT Plugins' NOIZ Hub series was created with the aim of providing a range of professio...
01/07/2025
New self-paced learning programme announced
Mastering.com have announced the availability of a new online course designed to cover the fundamentals of maste...
01/07/2025
The Traitors are coming: Get your first taste of the global hit as Season 1 of T...
01/07/2025
cetecom advanced certifies Rohde & Schwarz test solution for the verification of...
01/07/2025
RT has announced that Teresa Smith has been appointed Commissioning Editor with responsibility for Factual Entertainment following a public competition. This s...
01/07/2025
This July, RT is delighted to support Galway International Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal, Belfast TradFest and 23 other arts and cultural ev...
30/06/2025
There's nothing quite like the magic of finding music that feels made just f...
30/06/2025
When it comes to new music, Spotify's team of editors across North America is always on the hunt for songs that make them feel, think, and move. They're...
30/06/2025
Star Studded Ensemble Cast Are Joined by Richard Rankin as Filming Begins on the Second Season
[June 12, 2025 - Boston, MA]: The Forsytes, Debbie Horsfield...
30/06/2025
Eurorack sequencer module reimagined
California-based modular synth innovators Qu-Bit have announced the launch of a new module that offers a fresh new take...
30/06/2025
Improved dynamic behaviour, improved audio quality & more
Techivation have announced the release of an upgraded edition of their very first premium plug-in,...
30/06/2025
German premiere with live flight demonstration: German industry team showcases e...
30/06/2025
The Focusrite Summer Sale is now on Don't miss unbeatable deals on Scarlett, Vocaster, and more.
Whether you're an artist, a producer, or a podcaste...
30/06/2025
All 8 episodes of Season 1 of 1923 will be available on RT Player from Tuesday ...
30/06/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
52% report AI security spending is displacing tr...
30/06/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Cannes, June 30th, 2025 - Thales Alenia Space, t...
29/06/2025
Handpan-inspired instrument announced
Roland have announced the launch of the Mood Pan, a unique electronic hand percussion instrument that has been designe...
28/06/2025
Music theory plug-in updated
Three months on from the release of the latest version of their renowned music theory plug in, Scaler Music have launched an up...
27/06/2025
K-Pop remains one of the biggest genres globally, and many fans just can't get enough of it. That's why Spotify has launched a new series of K-Pop perf...
27/06/2025
In our latest blog post, Rafael Rivera highlights the rising threat of online scams, and the important role cybersecurity plays in protecting families across ge...
27/06/2025
From grounded realism to bending, impossible geometries
Klevgrand have announced the release of a new algorithmic reverb plug-in which they say deconstruct...
27/06/2025
Learn to use REW for room analysis
Acoustic treatment is one of the most important factors in any studio, and with the extensive range of products available...
27/06/2025
Second edition of parallel clipper plug-in announced
Soundtheory have announced the launch of Kraftur Focus, a new edition of their parallel clipper plug-in...
27/06/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales, a global high-tech leader, and Kongsberg...
27/06/2025
Friday 27 June 2025
Combination of RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) to create a unique proposition in entertainment, sports ...
26/06/2025
Bilbao Linz, June 26th 2025 - AgileTV, a European leader in TV and video technology solutions, has signed an agreement this week with the Austrian telco LIWES...
26/06/2025
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has resolved, based on the decisions ma...
26/06/2025
Three new entry-level models introduced
Catering to everything from casual listening to professional content creation, KRK's new Kreate Series monitors ...