The journalist has a duty which is not always a pleasant one. In the world today, tragic events are almost commonplace. It is the work of reporters and journalists to tell the public about what happened, and to report accurately the events as they unfold. One of the most accurate sources of information are people who experienced the event first hand. These are people who were victims to it, and who know what actually happened. Often these victims are traumatized and incoherent, though their testimony helps to substantiate stories which touch the lives of readers and the public at large. Journalists must talk to people in these circumstances, though there are acceptable and unacceptable methods of approach which should be adhered to in all cases.
*Assessing the situation.
*Assessing the effect of that situation on the particular victim.
*Learning to approach in a compassionate manner.
*Putting the victim at ease.
*Calming the victim into being able to discuss events.
*Using journalistic skill to produce honest appraisal.
Assessing the situation.
All events of a tragic nature need reportage. Without journalistic and newspaper coverage, the public would be unaware of what is happening in the world. Often in a situation of dire tragedy, the world needs to be aware, so that they can offer help and relief in times of trouble. When faced with a situation where witnesses to a tragedy are to be interviewed, a responsible journalist will make an assessment of the situation before approaching victims. Loss of life, loss of loved ones and the very distressful nature of the event will mean that not everyone will be available or even able to comment. A good journalist will recognize opportunity and be able to approach and interview people sensitively.
Assessing the effect of the situation on the particular individual.
It is important to realize that while the reporter or journalist has a job to do, the victims may be suffering the after-effects of a traumatic experience. Approach with sympathetic understanding and put the needs of the victim before the interview. This approach works because it is the most humane approach. Of course the world wants to know what is happening, though not at the expense of the victims' rights to privacy. Show empathy towards them, and try to understand that their individual needs are more important to them than your coverage of the event. Once you break the ice and show understanding, chances are that they will be open and frank about what happened.
Journalism needs to report facts, though if a barrier is put between you, as a reporter, and the victim of the event, this means that their communication with you will be limited by their attitude towards your profession. If approached in a more humane fashion, human to human, the response more accurately represents the facts at hand without the stigma of bias against reporters.
Learning to approach in a compassionate manner.
While it is hard to place oneself in the shoes of victims, it is a necessary part of the approach that the journalist is able to imagine themselves in the situation victims find themselves in. The reason for this is that it also helps them to psyche out the victim's situation and to approach the victim in a more humane manner. Their needs come first. If they need bandages or first aid, never get in the way of the emergency services, and do help them to find appropriate professional aid before expecting them to be approachable and helpful to you. It is necessary to gain trust. They have just suffered a bad experience, and the last thing they need is the imposition of a reporter or journalist who pays no attention to their needs.
Putting the victim at ease.
Talking to a victim of a disaster should be approached as calmly as possible. They will be traumatized. They won't want the imposition of questions at a time when there are too many questions already in their minds about what happened. Talk to them. Help them to overcome their trauma, and to be able to sit down and take stock. It is only by doing this that a journalist is able to get the full story. This can be comparable with police trying to get witness statements. If victims are approached while traumatized, chances are that much of what they say will be distorted by their own interpretation of it. Here, balance the views of several witnesses, and use a combination of perspectives to get the information you gather as accurate as possible.
Calming the victim into being able to discuss events.
Perhaps there is some link between you and the victim. Perhaps you are both parents and share some common ground. It is by exposing this common ground that you get beyond the barriers between victim and non-victim. Talk to them and try to imagine their pain. Let them talk, as this is an essential part of the recovery process. Listen to what they are saying and encourage them to say more. Never be judgmental or assume you know what happened. You may have gleaned a little information though a journalist can never put themselves in the place of the victim. They can, however, empathize.
This is where skill is needed as communication is the only means a journalist has of gathering facts. Remember to make this victim feel comfortable with you and to listen to what they say, addressing their immediate needs rather than trying to force them to talk when they are too traumatized to do so. Half of the battle is understanding that the victim may have lost their home or family and may themselves be confused with what is happening. Help them to calm down, by talking about what they need, and helping them to find help. By doing this, you become part of the situation and can report more clearly than an outsider who imposes their presence upon a victim without concern for their welfare.
Using journalistic skill to produce honest appraisal.
The journalism which sees the human interest side of a situation will always be favored by the readership. Things happen in the world which are beyond the imagination of readers, although what any reader can understand better than bare reporting of facts is the human element and response to a situation. On news stories on the television, often those involved in crisis are interviewed, and it is this interview technique and pictures of individuals, who have suffered as a consequence of circumstance, which makes the reportage real to those viewing it. Similarly in journalism, getting beyond the reporting of facts opens up doors to the readership, and makes the journalism more thorough, taking into account those victims who have lived through tragic circumstance.
The journalist should always approach disaster with professionalism and people-friendly intervention. Who remembers the earthquake which happened last week? Geographically perhaps only a few remember. The chances are that people those people whose lives were touched by disaster rather than the disaster itself, making readers aware and able to relate to the story written.
It is from pictures and commentary by individuals that reporters and journalists are permitted a unique view on news items of human tragedy, and one should never underestimate the importance of first person experience. The interview with a victim can spell the success of a story, and taking the right approach is vital to this success.