Coverage of the Tragedy in Crans-Montana: Swiss Press Council Urges Consideration
07.01.2026 | from Swiss Press Council
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07.01.2026, The Crans-Montana Tragedy Presents a Journalistic Challenge: How Can Media Operate Within Such Contexts While Adhering to Established Journalistic Rules?
The Swiss Press Council strongly reminds media professionals to respect the privacy of the victims and their families in their coverage. The victims of the fire disaster are not public figures. There is no necessity to publish their names or photos. The Journalism Code prohibits any sensational portrayal that reduces people to mere objects, whether in image, text, or sound. Journalists should also respect the suffering of those affected and the feelings of their kin, who are in an absolute exceptional situation.
In a 2012 statement, the Swiss Press Council issued guidelines for fair reporting in such situations. Following a coach accident in the canton of Valais where 28 people, mostly children, lost their lives, footage of the victims was sometimes excessively published.
In its leading decision at that time, the Press Council stated: "It is disproportionate and exceeds what is ethically permissible when an editorial team systematically scrutinises the private surroundings of those involved after an accident." Essentially, "it is permissible to show images of deceased victims of a traffic accident, as long as the family members explicitly agree to the publication and provide the photos." People, however, react differently to tragic events and blows of fate. "While many wish to be left alone with their grief, it helps some to share their suffering and allow others to empathise," the Press Council noted in its statement back then. When family members are still in shock, consent should not be assumed lightly.
In principle, the privacy of those involved – unless they are public figures and the reporting relates to their public activity – must be respected even in high-profile incidents, crimes, and catastrophes.
Annik Dubied, the Vice President of the Swiss Press Council, discusses in the RTS programme 'PointJ' how journalists can report on such events ethically. The broadcast will be available from 7 January 2026 at the following link: https://www.rts.ch/audio-podcast/2020/emission/le-point-j-25000806.html
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Swiss Press Council
The Swiss Press Council serves both the public and media professionals as an instance for complaints. It oversees adherence to the Journalism Code, the 'Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists', which is binding for all journalists.
The Press Council provides its position on journalistic ethics upon complaint or on its own initiative. Anyone can lodge a complaint, and the procedure is free of charge. The council judges based on the code and its issued guidelines.
In its ruling, the Press Council evaluates and explains whether and why a journalistic report in print, radio, television, or internet violates the Journalism Code—or not. In this way, the council guarantees the voluntary self-regulation of the media industry.
Moreover, the Press Council contributes to the reflection and discussion on fundamental media-ethical topics. It also defends press and freedom of expression.
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Source: Swiss Press Council, Press release
Original article published on: Berichterstattung zur Tragödie in Crans-Montana: Schweizer Presserat mahnt zur Rücksichtnahme