The Case of Dua Zehra: Media Sensationalism

Huma Javeed

The Case

On 16th April 2022, Dua Zehra, a girl from Karachi Pakistan became part of the daily news cycle. Dua Zehra disappeared from Karachi and was found days later in Okara, Punjab, 1,200 km away, announced to be married to a boy named Zaheer Ahmed. Dua’s father reported her as a 14-year-old child abducted from Karachi and who isn’t capable of making appropriate decisions for her own life. On April 26, a video surfaced on various news media outlets where Dua Zehra claimed she was 16-year-old and had willingly married Zaheer, whom she had met online. She explained that she travelled from Karachi to Okara by taxi to be with him and accused her parents of lifelong abuse while stating that Zaheer’s family treated her well.

This incident sparked widespread media coverage. Dua Zehra's story became a daily headline, with media outlets extensively analyzing her and her family life. Journalists eagerly conducted exclusive interviews with Dua and her new husband, often portraying her father as the villain in this "love story". One journalist from Friday Times wrote, “Regrettably, the parents of Dua are dragging the case further, misguided by some ambulance-chasing lawyers, and motivated by an 'us-versus-them' mentality; in turn, further subjecting their daughter to mental and physical agony” (Rehman, 2022).

Many interviews with Dua Zehra portrayed that she was in a happy marriage and that Dua's father had ulterior motives. The journalist who interacted with Dua lacked a nuanced understanding of the complexity of the situation opting instead for a sensationalized narrative. She often seemed uncomfortable in these interviews and the journalists portrayed no sense of responsibility and focused on the sensationalized version of the story mostly drawing stories from her fathers and her family's personal history. The media's coverage shifted public opinion in favor of Zaheer Ahmed (her husband), ignoring the ongoing investigations by authorities and the judiciary.

Earlier this year, after detailed police investigations and persistent legal efforts by Dua Zehra’s father, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled in favor of her family, confirming she was indeed 14 years old—underage even by Pakistani law, which defines a "child" as a male under 18 or a female under 16 (Refworld, 1929). Zaheer was revealed to be part of a gang involved in human trafficking and the illegal sale of young girls. The investigation also uncovered that Dua had been threatened and brainwashed into giving these supportive interviews to the eager journalists. Zaheer had a history of criminal allegations, including rape and human trafficking. The media's coverage, driven by a desire for sensationalism, ignored critical facts and failed to responsibly handle the situation. The detailed outline of her case can be navigated here.

Ethical Dilemmas 

I believe this case involved three main ethical violations in journalistic practice:

Reporting Truthfully and Accurately: Ethical journalism demands accuracy and fairness. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) states that “Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information” (SPJ, 2024). In the case of Dua Zehra, the journalists often relied on unverified information from unknown sources. Her age was the most contested part of the stories. Different news media sources relied on incorrect information regarding her age, and her family dynamics. There wasn’t any proper evidence that showed that Dua Zehra’s father was abusive and yet the media pushed this narrative while claiming the husband to be the “savior”. 

Minimizing Harm: Journalists must “Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment” (SPJ, 2024). Zaheer Ahmed, who contracted marriage with Dua Zehra, is now known to be part of a powerful mafia. The details of Dua Zehra’s story now reveasl that it was a human trafficking case, which is unfortunately not uncommon in Pakistan. However, journalists who interacted with Dua Zehra chose to lookover this reality.

The SPJ Code of Ethics states, “Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication” (SPJ, 2024). There was little to no consideration of the fact that Dua was potentially an underage child. Journalists covering the story neither understood the situation nor attempted to. The journalists failed to address the deeper implications of reporting on Dua Zehra’s life and privacy, a significant shortcoming in responsibly considering the societal and cultural consequences of such reporting, especially regarding minors.

Avoiding Sensationalism: Journalists must avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do (SPJ, 2024). While social media amplified the sensational coverage, journalists were expected to report the truth based on facts. Unfortunately, many media outlets chose to follow the sensational point of view, taking sides and portraying the father as the villain. Furthermore, many journalists aimed to interview Dua Zehra to boost their subscriptions and viewership, prioritizing public spectacle over practicing ethical journalism.

Conclusion

Dua Zehra’s case underscores the need for ethical and responsible journalism. Journalists have the power to influence narratives and shape public opinions, but in this instance, many prioritized sensationalism over basic ethical integrity. Ethical journalism involves thorough investigation, balanced reporting, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and avoiding sensational reporting. The failure to adhere to these principles in Dua's case caused a lot of unnecessary harm to the victim and her family. 

References

Rehman, T. U. (2022, July 9). For love’s sake: As Dua Zahra faces the social and legal system of her homeland. The Friday Times. Retrieved from https://thefridaytimes.com/09-Jul-2022/for-love-s-sake-as-dua-zahra-faces-the-social-and-legal-system-of-her-homeland

Refworld. (1929). The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 (No. XIX of 1929). Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/1929/en/96337

Society of Professional Journalists. (2024). SPJ code of ethics. Retrieved October 20, 2024, from https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp