Working with eyewitness media: ethics & rights Hazel Baker, Digital Editor, Sky News
Feb 09, 2017
Working with eyewitness media: ethics & rightsHazel Baker, Digital Editor, Sky News
Approaching eyewitnesses on social media
Get organised: who in the newsroom
will make contact?
How can we make contact? Private
message preferable.
Considerations before contact: is eyewitness at risk
or under 18?
What is it we most need to ask the
individual?
Handling responses from eyewitnesses“Gun shots heard. We are all in our rooms. Very scared. Can you tell me what is happening?”
“Yes I can talk, but I don’t have much battery left...”“Of course you can use it! I’ll go back out now and see if I can get any more.”
“My mate sent it to me, but he says it’s fine to use.”[ no reply ]
What do eyewitnesses need
from us?
A calm and
sensitive approach
Updates and links to their
material
Consideration of their personal safety
Clarity over how
we will use content
Recognition and sometimes
reward