Managing media interest

A crime, unexpected death, or serious incident can quickly become public information when the media shares details about what’s happened.

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After a very serious crime, police may offer to work with you to release a media statement. In other situations, anyone from a media organisation could contact you, your family, whānau, friends, acquaintances, and even people you barely know to ask for details, comments, or an interview.

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If the media contact you, it is your decision as to whether you wish to speak to them or not.

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The media can have a positive role in assisting with enquiries if you or family and whānau members are asked to make a formal public request for more information about the incident. Occasionally journalists also independently investigate a case and find helpful new evidence. Their reporting may also help the police locate an offender through appeals for information, or alert the public to any risks.

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However, it pays to assume the media may not have your best interests in mind. Victims sometimes find that journalists can be persistent, demanding, and intrusive when they are searching for details about a story. Their attention may be distressing and they sometimes find inventive ways to discover more information, including staking out homes, hospitals, and workplaces, or taking pictures from social media accounts without asking.

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Be aware that you might also unexpectedly hear, read, or see something in the media about your case or incident that you may find upsetting.  It can also be stressful reliving an already traumatic experience through media and to hear information which may not reflect events as you experienced them.

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Police statements

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If there has been a homicide, a workplace or road fatality, or a death in a traumatic event like a fire or natural disaster, the police will only officially release to the media the name of the deceased once the formal identification of the body has been made. They will talk with the immediate family about this timing.  

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In the release police may include details like the gender, approximate age of the person and where they were found. They might also state that they have referred the death to the coroner or started a homicide inquiry. If you wish, the police can help your family or whānau to prepare and release a family statement as well.

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Dealing with media attention

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Some victims find it helpful and empowering to share their story. For others, dealing with the media is very stressful. Speaking with the media or not is your choice.

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If you decide not to speak to the media

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Responding to media inquiries

• Use your voicemail or messaging to filter calls so you don’t accidentally answer a call from someone you don’t want to speak to.
• It may be easier to decline to comment by using messaging or email, where this is possible, as journalists can still keep pushing you for an answer if you are talking over the phone.
• You can simply ignore requests. It’s okay to tell them you have “no comment” or ask them to direct all queries to police.

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Media reporting

• Understand that even if you choose not to comment, it may not be possible to stop the media reporting on your case.

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Ongoing media attention

• Media attention may increase again at any time, such as when an offender may be eligible for parole. Refer back to these tips when you need to.

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If you decide to speak to the media

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Responding to media inquiries

• You might choose to issue a written statement only to the media. After very serious crimes, the police can help you with this. After any incident, you can always post statements on social media and direct media inquiries there.
• Don’t feel you need to answer straight away. Take your time before responding to media inquiries, schedule interviews for when you're prepared, and ask for questions in advance via email so you have time to consider what you want to say.

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Strategic engagement

• You can choose to be proactive and set up interviews with the media at a time you choose, such as around upcoming anniversaries or when the family or whānau want to highlight an aspect of the case. This allows you to get ahead of the media and do it on your own terms.
• Ask police to tell you about media releases they are making about your case or situation before they release them to the media.

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Choosing a spokesperson

• Designate a representative by deciding whether you, a family or whānau member, or a close friend will interact with the media. Take time to ensure they are familiar with your perspectives and what you wish to communicate before engaging with media requests.

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Content sharing considerations

• Carefully choose what information you're comfortable sharing with the public, discussing with family or whānau if necessary.
• Be cautious of content given for interviews; you can't review the final version. Families and whānau can feel angry their words have been twisted or misconstrued so planning what you want to say is very important.
• Think carefully about which photos, written documents/messages, audio, or video you may want to give to media. It’s very important to know that any of these could be used by them in the future without your additional permission.

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Managing Interviews

• Always assume your interview is being recorded. If you are not comfortable with that, tell the journalist before your interview.
• There is no such thing as ‘off the record’. Media can use anything you say at any time. Avoid saying anything in the spur of the moment that you might later regret.
• If you feel pressured or stressed by a member of the media at any time, say you will call or message them back or have someone else do that on your behalf. You can also delay an interview you’ve already arranged if you need to.

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Addressing misinformation

• Incorrect information given to the media by relatives, friends, or others can be frustrating and sometimes hurtful. If this happens, you can ask the media to correct any misinformation. Please understand though, sometimes these people pass on information that is factual or considered their opinion.

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Ongoing media attention

• Media attention may increase again at any time, such as when an offender may be eligible for parole. Refer back to these tips when you need to.

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The media in court

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Aotearoa New Zealand has an open justice system and members of the public and media can attend most court cases. The media do play an important role in reporting on cases.

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In certain instances, the judge can close the courtroom to the public and media, or at their discretion, limit media presence or reporting on specific details of a case.

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Laws and guidelines for the media

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There are laws and guidelines governing what journalists can and cannot report on.

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• Victims of sexual violence, children and young people are protected from being identified by the media.
• In some court cases, the prosecutor may ask the court to prevent identification of witnesses who are vulnerable.
• In some instances, such as after a suicide, homicide, family violence and harm or sexual violence incident, a judge will decide to suppress the names of victims, the person accused, or details of the case. This means no media can report on these.

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‍After a suicide

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Under law in Aotearoa New Zealand, the media must follow certain restrictions about what they can report if a death appears to have been by suicide. These rules exist to reduce the chance of further suicides in the community.

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After a suicide, the media cannot make public:

• the method or suspected method of the death
• any details (like the place of death) that might suggest the method or suspected method of the death
• a description of the death as a suicide before the coroner has released their findings and stated the death was a suicide (although the death can be described as a suspected suicide before then).

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Coping with media demands

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If you feel that media pressure has become too intrusive or demanding, or if you have concerns or questions, you can talk to the police officer in charge of your case or your Support Worker.

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You can call us on 0800 842 846 or visit our How we can help page to find out more about who we are, how we can help you, and how to access our support.

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Complaints

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To lodge a complaint about media content visit the New Zealand Media Council website.

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Resources

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Downloadable resources

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