Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, lecturer at the University of Ghana, has urged journalists to show greater care and ethical sensitivity when reporting on issues of sexual corruption, warning that careless reporting can reinforce gender bias and stigmatize victims.
Speaking at a training workshop organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in Accra, Dr. Ayisi said the way journalists frame stories on sexual corruption, often referred to as sextortion, determines whether the media helps combat the problem or contributes to it.
“Many reports unintentionally shame victims or treat the issue as a moral failing rather than a form of corruption and human rights abuse,” she noted.
The workshop, which brought together 30 journalists from across the country, focused on “Journalistic Approaches to Gender-Differentiated Corruption.” Participants were trained on ethical storytelling, gender-sensitive framing, and investigative tools for exposing abuse of power.
Dr. Ayisi explained that sexual corruption is unique because it exploits both gender and power imbalances, urging reporters to use survivor-centered approaches and consult legal, psychological, and human rights experts when covering such cases.
She also cautioned journalists against the use of labels such as “side chick” and “slay queen” when reporting on women involved in corruption-related stories. According to her, such words are loaded with prejudice and can unfairly influence how audiences perceive victims.
“When you describe someone as a ‘slay queen’ or ‘side chick,’ you have already judged them before the reader has even heard their story,” she said, calling for neutral and factual language in all reporting.
Participants described the training as an eye-opener that challenged newsroom routines and promoted more ethical storytelling.
The MFWA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting journalists with tools and training to improve ethical and gender-sensitive reporting on corruption and governance issues.