The Associated Press (AP) has come under criticism for its coverage of the Dominique Pelicot rape trial in France, where the news organization made controversial connections between pornography and the alleged crimes. Pelicot, currently facing trial, is accused of orchestrating the rape of his unconscious wife, Gisele, by over 50 men. The case has captivated France, sparking discussions about sexual violence, consent, and cultural attitudes toward sex.

The AP’s article, penned by journalist Diane Jeantet, centers on the disturbing allegations against Pelicot while also highlighting broader social implications. In the piece, Jeantet writes that the trial “is exposing how pornography, chatrooms, and men’s disdain for or hazy understanding of consent is fueling rape culture.”

However, critics argue that the article lacks concrete evidence directly linking pornography to Pelicot’s actions or to the behavior of the accused participants.

Jeantet refers to testimony from a tech expert who confirmed that Pelicot had searched for “asleep porn” on his computer, in addition to having video-recorded some of the sexual encounters for personal use. The AP used these details to suggest that pornography may have played a role in shaping Pelicot’s behavior despite no explicit evidence of its direct influence on the alleged crimes.

The AP’s coverage has faced backlash from various quarters. Céline Piques, spokesperson for Osez le Féminisme! (Dare Feminism!), was quoted in the article, asserting that many of the defendants may have been influenced by pornographic material.

While Piques’ statements reflect her organization’s stance on pornography’s potential harm, critics argue that AP’s framing of the story lacked journalistic rigor, failing to establish a clear causal relationship between consuming pornographic content and committing sexual violence.

The AP is not the only media outlet to link Pelicot’s case to broader discussions of pornography and sexual violence. An article by Mary Wakefield in The Spectator, a conservative British magazine, went further, claiming that “porn leads a human down into the sludgy gutters of his own psyche.”

Wakefield suggested that abstinence from all pornography—not just illegal material—would be an effective measure to prevent crimes like those alleged against Pelicot.

While Jeantet’s article refrains from making definitive statements about the role of pornography in sexual violence, it uses language and statistics that imply a strong correlation. Critics of the piece contend that this approach blurs the line between factual reporting and advocacy, potentially skewing public perception of the case and perpetuating misconceptions about pornography’s role in fostering sexual violence.

In particular, Jeantet cites statistics on sexual assault in France, contextualizing them within the larger debate on pornography’s influence. Additionally, she highlights testimony from one defendant, Ahmed T., who reportedly said that seeing Gisele unconscious “reminded him of porn he had watched featuring women who ‘pretend to be asleep and don’t react.’” The implication, critics say, is that pornography directly influenced the alleged assault—a claim that lacks empirical evidence in this specific context.

The AP’s coverage has sparked debate over how media outlets should approach reporting on sensitive issues such as sexual violence, pornography, and consent. Many argue that coverage must be nuanced, fact-based, and supported by evidence to avoid reinforcing stereotypes or misleading the public.

The trial of Dominique Pelicot is already a complex case involving serious allegations of sexual violence, consent violations, and organized abuse. Pelicot allegedly drugged his wife without her knowledge, arranging for multiple men to rape her while she was unconscious. The case has highlighted systemic issues in France, including the need for stronger consent laws and improved mechanisms for supporting survivors of sexual violence.

However, some media observers have criticized coverage that quickly implicates pornography without concrete evidence, calling it a “moral panic” approach. This type of reporting, they argue, risks diverting attention from more immediate systemic issues, such as gaps in legal protections, insufficient survivor support, and broader cultural attitudes toward consent.

The AP’s reporting has prompted calls for greater accountability and fact-checking among media organizations when covering complex and sensitive legal cases. Observers emphasize the importance of distinguishing between factual reporting and editorializing, particularly in high-profile cases that may shape public discourse and influence policy decisions.

This criticism of the AP comes as part of a broader conversation about the role of journalism in shaping narratives around sexual violence and pornography. Many experts call for evidence-based reporting that avoids drawing unverified connections, particularly when the stakes are high and the implications are far-reaching.

The trial of Dominique Pelicot, which continues in France, has prompted discussions not only about sexual violence and consent but also about how such issues are reported in the media.

While the allegations against Pelicot are deeply troubling and have sparked outrage across the country, critics argue that media coverage should be grounded in evidence rather than speculation.

As the trial unfolds, it remains critical for journalists to report on the facts with accuracy and sensitivity, avoiding oversimplified narratives that could mislead or misinform the public.