New guidance has been issued for members of the public on “dealing with the press” if they are involved in a major incident.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation has produced guidance for both journalists and those caught up in natural disasters, terror attacks and other such events.

The guidance for the public explains what to expect from the media when they are reporting on a major incident, including the fact they may be contacted as a result of what they have post on social media in the aftermath and that anything they do post may be published.

It also explains how copy approval is unlikely to be given if they do choose to speak to journalists and offers advice on how to let journalists know if they do not want to be contacted.

Based on the Editors’ Code of Practice, the guidelines for editors and journalists cover three key areas – the reporting of breaking news, the immediate aftermath of the incident and anniversaries − outlining key questions for journalists to consider and highlighting useful case studies.

They include:

• What photos or video are you recording of the scene?  Do they show anyone who is injured, in shock or dead? And in the process of recording, are you interfering in the events?
• If you are reporting the number of deaths, how do you know the figures?
• If you are identifying an individual who has died, are you aware that the family knows of the death?
• What steps will you take to keep yourself and others around you safe?
• Are you taking care to present unverified information about what is happening as claims and not fact?

IPSO head of standards Charlotte Urwin said: “It is strongly in the public interest that the media reports on major incidents, but it can be challenging – requiring editors and journalists to make sometimes difficult, on-the-spot decisions.

“This new guidance provides a framework to support all journalists, whether working for a local or national newspaper, weekly or monthly magazine, to comply with their obligations under the Editors’ Code, including reporting accurately, and approaching those affected with sensitivity.

“We have also expanded our work raising awareness of how we can support victims, families and agencies in major incident situations, in response to the recommendations made by in the Kerslake Review

“We hope our new information will be useful to people who have concerns about potential press intrusion.”

Last year a report on the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing highlighted the “sympathetic reporting” of local and regional newspapers while criticising other media for press intrusion.

Written by former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake, it singled out the Manchester Evening News and other local newspapers for their “sympathetic” coverage of the incident.