Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...

Media Tips for Victims & Families
You Have the Right to:
◗ Tell your story.
◗ Say “NO” to an interview (even if you
have given interviews to other reporters.)
◗ Select a spokesperson to speak for you and
your family.
◗ Set the time and place for the interview.
◗ Have someone with you during the
interview.
◗ Provide a written statement instead of
giving an interview.
◗ Give, or refuse to give, photographs.
◗ Ask that offensive pictures and footage not
be used.
◗ Exclude children from interviews.
◗ Decline to answer specific questions.
◗ Demand a correction when the facts in a
report are inaccurate.
◗ Request or deny interviews with specific
reporters.
◗ Be treated with dignity and respect by the
media.
◗ Grieve in private.
◗ Avoid a press conference and speak to one
reporter at a time.
◗ Refrain from answering media questions
during trials.
Drawbacks of Speaking to the Media
◗ May be misquoted.
◗ Lose anonymity.
◗ Compromise physical safety or
psychological well-being.
◗ May impede the criminal case.
◗ May feel exploited.
Questions To Ask:
◗ What is this story about?
◗ How will the interview be used?
◗ Who else will be interviewed?
◗ What questions will be asked?
◗ Is TV/radio interview live or taped?
Interview Tips:
◗ Write an outline or statement in advance.
◗ Keep your answers brief and positive.
◗ Set limits. You can tell the reporter you won’t
discuss some things.
◗ Remember, once you have said something
you can’t take it back.
◗ Don’t go “off the record.” Assume
everything you say will be used.
◗ Don’t guess or speculate.
◗ Remember you are really speaking to your
interviewer’s audience.
Section Six
Why Speak to the Media:
◗ Influence public opinion and policy.
◗ Help law enforcement catch criminals.
◗ Prevent others from becoming crime victims.
◗ Gain a sense of control and empowerment.
◗ Achieve more accurate and sensitive
coverage.
◗ Get your message out.
◗ Educate the public about your experience.
When You are Misquoted
or the Story is Wrong:
◗ First decide if the error is important enough
to pursue.
◗ Call the reporter and request a correction. If
you don’t get satisfaction, contact the editor.
◗ Consider writing a letter to the editor to
correct the record. A correction is in the
editor’s words. A letter to the editor is in your
own words.
When Crisis Strikes | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 2012
page 43