Rose Dixon’s daughter died at just 22 years of age. The nurse psychologist and chief executive of Support After Murder & Manslaughter understands that the media have a job to do and says people just need to approach bereaved people in the right way.
Take care not to re-traumatise the family
- The media must approach a bereaved person sensitively
- Doorstepping can cause someone to re-experience a death
- The bereaved could see doorstepping as a violation
- Personal details of a loved one could potentially end up in the media and that could be hard to take
Consider your approach
- Bereavement can be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting
- Bereaved people can find it hard to retain information and concentrate, due to trauma
- If you are explaining the programme you want to produce, you really need to sit down and spend time with them
- Expect lots of questions
- Be prepared to make repeat visits
- Give the bereaved person breaks during the interview
- If you get information on a loved one from a source other than a family member, check it with them first so as not to cause distress
"Make sure they’re building a relationship with one journalist that they learn to trust throughout the whole process." – Joanne Early
Joanne Early, a bereavement support worker who entered the profession when her son was killed in 2008, says:
Be mindful
- Explain what you want from that person, what you are doing and why
- Consider going through a third-party, as this gives the bereaved person time to really think about what’s asked of them
- Consider giving the bereaved person a say in the output - it can be a really positive experience if they are able to discuss the content with the journalist or programme-maker
After filming
- Leave your contact details with the family so that if they have any questions or thoughts they can talk to someone
- Give prior warning of the content’s transmission so that the bereaved family is prepared
- Be respectful and empathetic - think about the pain the family is going through and consider how you would like to be treated in the same situation
Look after yourself
- Be prepared for your own reactions – you may get upset too
This advice is aimed at people making content for the BBC but the general principles apply to anyone. View the vulnerable contributors section of the BBC Editorial Policy website for further guidance.
BBC staff should contact editorial policy for further guidance. The BBC employee assistance programme and BBC News: Journalism and Trauma are both available internally for BBC staff.
You may also find Working with the bereaved: Sian Williams and Samaritans helpful.
