| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
or to the data can be time-consuming and challenging. There is a lack of open sources of data online or at state agencies. Although there is FOI legislation in Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda there are delays in getting the information. The journalists interviewed in these countries shared their views on the FOI process and said it slowed down their ability to report when they have deadlines. They also opined the lack of structure to effectively get the information and said that there was often a lot of back and forth. They believed that information on any crimes should be available at all times and be updated regularly via the relevant websites. Accessing the data from the government entities for this research study was also difficult with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago where there was a primary source and the Counter Trafficking Unit information could be accessed. Sensitivity and Ethical Considerations Although no editorial policy exists in any newsroom specific to TIP and based on the research review period of July 2021 to June 2023, journalists do display attention to the sensitivity of the victims.
A limitation was the ability to track social media discussions on TIP, so we are unable to form an opinion of how the public sees the issue.
Collaboration and Advocacy There was a lack of collaboration and advocacy for TIP stories in all four countries. This is because these stories are not being actively pursued nor are initiatives on TIP being embarked upon. Some journalists were unaware of any NGOs who specialize in supporting efforts towards TIP. Impact and Solutions There was no evidence of Solutions Journalism being employed. Solutions journalism, in the context of human trafficking, should focus on the response to the issue rather than just highlighting the problem itself. This approach would present stories that detail effective interventions, policies, and practices being implemented to combat human trafficking. Highlighting Successful Interventions locally or outside of the country, such as community-based approaches to raise awareness, or effective rehabilitation programs for survivors; and the effectiveness can be impactful. The level of coverage of potential solutions was poor and there were not many in-depth investigative pieces which could offer a comprehensive view of the issue and explore different approaches. There were many shorter news segments which focused on current affairs aspects of Trafficking in Persons stories such as the apprehension of perpetrators or press releases of TIP reports. This signals the fact that there is low impact, and that the media is not a strong advocate for improvement.
82 A Media Analysis of the Coverage of Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence and Trafficking in Persons (June 2021 to June 2023) in the Eastern Caribbean
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