Online newspapers must turn off comment sections on sensitive crime stories and use more compassionate, responsible headline wording.Insensitive headlines and toxic comments cause real harm to grieving families and communities. It’s time for the media to act responsibly.

Ask Newspapers to Turn Off Comments and Use More Sensitive Headlines on Crime Stories

When a tragedy occurs, the people affected are already facing the most painful moments of their lives. But instead of being met with compassion, they often find themselves confronted with hurtful comments, insensitive headlines, and sensationalised reporting — all while they are grieving.

Online comment sections under crime articles quickly turn toxic. They fill with rumours, hateful opinions, victim-blaming, personal attacks, and false information. Families have to watch strangers debate and distort the most traumatic event they will ever face, while communities are left dealing with misinformation and speculation.

At the same time, many newspapers choose headline wording designed to shock rather than inform. Sensational, graphic, or careless phrasing causes additional distress, retraumatises families, and spreads unnecessary fear or judgement. A headline may take seconds to write — but the impact on those affected can last forever.

This petition asks for three simple, compassionate changes:

1. Automatically disable public comments

on news articles involving:

crime
minors
ongoing investigations
victims of violence
grieving families
sensitive community incidents

Comment sections in these contexts do more harm than good.

2. Require more sensitive headline wording

Headlines should be:

compassionate
accurate
non-sensational
free from graphic detail
mindful of grieving families
respectful of victims

3. Establish clear, public editorial guidelines

Media outlets should create (and enforce) guidelines that protect the dignity of victims and their families, reduce harm, and discourage speculative or inflammatory wording.

Why this matters

Behind every headline is a person.

Behind every crime story is a family.

Behind every “breaking news” update is someone whose life has changed forever.

Insensitive headlines and toxic comment sections only deepen the pain.

They retraumatise families.

They spread misinformation.

They encourage online abuse.

And they strip victims of their dignity.

It’s time for newspapers to choose compassion over clicks, and human decency over sensationalism.

Sign this petition to urge online newspapers and media outlets to adopt more respectful, responsible practices when reporting on crime and tragedy.

Together, we can create safer, kinder spaces for those facing unimaginable loss.