Police or search agencies may decide to use media outlets to broadcast details about a missing person in an effort to obtain valuable information from the public.
Dealing with the media for the first time can be confronting. Handing over photos or other personal items for publicity purposes may also be an emotionally difficult decision.
The following information provide suggestions to help families and friends of missing persons work in cooperation with media journalists, photographers and camera crews. A fact sheet has also been developed for this purpose:
How can the media help you?
If you are interested in participating in media opportunities, please contact the NMPCC.
Deciding to make a public appeal
When deciding to make a public appeal, the first step is to talk to police or the search agencies involved. Case officers will usually encourage the use of media where the missing person has an urgent medical need or there are grave concerns for their safety.
What the media will require or ask
The media will require basic information about the missing person including their name, age, a physical description, photograph and their last known whereabouts. With authority by the next of kin, this information may be published or broadcast in the media.
Information about the missing person can be supplied to the media via a press release, which is usually prepared by police or the search agencies and is distributed to television, radio and newspapers outlets.
For more comprehensive media such as television stories or magazine articles, the media outlet may ask human interest type questions such as:
- How does it feel to have the person missing?
- When was the last time you saw him/her?
- Can you describe the missing person’s state of mind the day they went missing?
- What would you say to the missing person if they were watching/ reading?
Who should talk to the media
A relative or close friend may act as a spokesperson if the family of the missing person is too overwhelmed with emotion to answer questions from the media. Alternatively, the case officer may also provide someone to speak with the media.
When being interviewed by the media, it may be useful to have a police officer available. They may be able to provide additional information or step in where appropriate.
What should you tell the media?
Preparation prior to a media interview should be thorough. The type of information that can be mentioned about the missing person should be discussed with the case officer. In some situations, police may wish to keep particular details out of the public arena, as certain information could inadvertently hinder an investigation.
Some families and friends may decide to read a prepared statement and not answer questions rather than be interviewed.
Will the media run all stories?
There is no guarantee that the media will run any story. It is important for families and friends to understand that their story may be one of many competing news items.
Dealing with the media at your home
There may be occasions when the media directly approaches the family or friends of the missing person at home to request an interview or ask for photographs. There is no obligation to invite in the media.
Often media may be directed to the police or the search agency that has already been provided with photographs, video tapes or other items.
The case officer should be contacted for advice before families and friends participate in an interview at home.
Dealing with intrusive media
If media are being overly intrusive or disruptive, request the respect for privacy. If this fails, any problems should be discussed with the case officer. They may be able to liaise with journalists, editors or chief-of-staffs about maintaining privacy wishes.
Before approaching media, always consult the case officer.
