Grieving relatives should appoint “media co-ordinators” to field press inquiries after the deaths of loved ones, the Press Complaints Commission said today.
The media watchdog published a new set of guidelines to help bereaved families deal with media attention.
The leaflet aims to protect the interests of members of the public and details how journalists now use social networking sites such as Facebook to gain material.
Among the suggestions it makes to help families handle press inquiries is the appointment of “media co-ordinators.”
“Some people may find it easier to appoint a relative or friend, or representaive such as a religious leader, solicitor or police family liaison officer as the person to co-ordinate media interest,” says the report.
“That individual could pass on comments from those who wish to speak, field calls from journalists and generally take the pressure away from those most affected by the death.”
The commission worked with Facebook, the Samaritans, MPs and the police in compiling the guidelines, which also reflects the views of newspaper and magazine industry members so that members of the public can understand their approach in this area.
Other advice covers issues such as what to do if a friend or relative of the deceased does or does not want to speak to the press, how to prevent unwanted approaches from journalists or photographers, how to make concerns clear to the press before and after publication and what can happen when deaths occur abroad.
PCC director Stephen Abell said: “The death of a loved one is a terrible situation to face, and we want to make sure we are as effective as possible in helping people who are dealing with media interest at a difficult time.
“This area of work is important to us, and will always seek to be proactive and serve the public as much as we can.”
The report also points out that some death-related stories may gain national media attention.
It advises anyone who does not want to speak to the press to make it clear by either telling the newspaper directly, or sending an email to the PCC contaning a request to be left alone which would be passed on to editors.
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Thanks PCC.
If you can come up with a few more ways of making the job of journalists going about our legitimate business even more difficult than it already is, do let us know, won’t you?
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It is not the role of the PCC to advise families on how to deal with the media at times of bereavement. During my 35 as a reporter at the coal face I did countless door knocks and I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I met with an adverse reaction from bereaved relatives. Assuming you approach families in a sympathetic and understanding manner they will be quite happy to co-operate and talk to you because they know you are only doing your job. If I had been an editor I would have kicked the backside of any reporter who relied on comments left on social networking sites rather than speaking to family and friends face-to-face. The problem with ‘media co-ordinator’ – and particularly self-appointed police ‘media co-ordinators’ – is that they work from a template and every family tribute channeled through them is virtually word-for-word the same.
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Yet more prior restraint from the PCC – an organisation that was set up to deal with complaints and yet continually awards itself more and more powers at the pre-publication stage.
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I see they consulted those well-known experts on journalism: “Facebook, the Samaritans, MPs and the police”. Fair enough, the Samaritans could have a relevant input but not at all sure about the others.
Agree with Raymond – the police getting involved would mean the usual bone-dry press release instead of a real family tribute (which the family might treasure).
I’ve done lots of death knocks and, as long as you behave properly (as 99.9% of us do), people are almost always fine with it – obviously lots tell you to go away but then you just say “sorry to have bothered you” and go.
The police weigh in with the certain knowledge that they are the moral guardians of all of us and convince families not to speak – for God’s sake don’t give them any more of a role in this!
The PCC code is pretty clear on intrusion into grief. Beyond that, they should leave it to the professionals.
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