VIOLATION OF THE ETHICAL CODE THROUGH SENSATIONALIST REPORTING ON THE INFORMATION WEBSITES IN SERBIA

Abstract

Market-driven journalism, combined with the rise of the internet and social media, has significantly influenced media operations. Consequently, media content often becomes low-quality, unethical, and sensationalist, with clickbait headlines that misrepresent the truth. This study examines violations of the Ethical Code of Serbian Journalists in sensationalist reporting in digital editions of Politika and Kurir. The analysis focuses on the “Chronicle” sections published from July 28 to August 27, 2025, emphasizing principles of truthfulness, responsibility, and privacy. Content was evaluated based on clickbait use, objectivity, tabloid language, speculation, and coverage of sensitive topics like family tragedies and violence, including respect for privacy and dignity. Results reveal various ethical violations and differences in professional approaches, highlighting a crisis in media ethics where commercial interests override journalistic standards. This leads to lower information quality, loss of public trust, and a reduced space for serious public debate. The study calls for stronger ethical oversight, increased media accountability, and systematic future research.