Sometimes a missing child story gets a lot of traditional media coverage, and sometimes it does not. What is broadcast or released online from day to day has a lot to do with what is occurring right now in your community, in the country, and even in the world. The media wants to get “breaking news” out on their various platforms. And when they release their stories and posts, you and your family may be thrust into the limelight, whether you want to be or not.
Sometimes, in the media’s rush to get a story out, facts do not come out accurately or aren’t presented in the ways you and your family would want them to be. If you or your parent(s) give an interview, what you say may be misconstrued or sensationalized. Be prepared for this—it has happened to all of us. And if it does, you may feel used and exploited.
Here are ways to protect yourself and minimize any negative impact:
- Remember, you do not have to speak to the media. Tell your parents and law enforcement how you feel. Sometimes law enforcement has reasons for keeping the story quiet and not putting information on the news. That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant or that nobody cares. In some ways, it can be a relief if the media decides not to focus on your family during a given time.
- Your family will decide what to do. You and your family may have different thoughts about working with the media. That is okay. There is no right or wrong way to engage with the media. You and your family may or may not be comfortable working with the media. But it is important that you talk as a family about your feelings.
- If the media tries to talk to you without your parent’s permission and/or asks inappropriate questions, tell your parents or another trusted adult about it. And you can walk away from any media that approaches you.
- The media can cause extra stress on your family and cause misunderstandings. If friends or relatives hear information on the news before they hear it from your family, they may say, “I can’t believe I had to find out about this on the news.” Don’t take this personally—people just don’t realize unless they become a focus of media attention how aggressively and quickly the media can work to put out stories and posts.
- The media may show up when you least expect or want it. Sometimes an event may trigger a burst of media attention. A similar story may come up in the news. It may be the anniversary of when your sibling went missing. There may be people who want to capitalize on your family’s misfortune, hounding you for a story or wanting to make a movie or write a book about it. Be prepared for these things and talk with your family about how to best handle them if they do happen.
- Have a trusted person with you if you agree to do an interview. They can look out for you and object if they think the reporter is asking questions that are out of line.
- Trust your gut. If a reporter or journalist makes you feel uncomfortable, or any other person approaches you with questions in a way that makes you feel unsafe, immediately tell your parents, law enforcement, or another trusted adult.
- When you’re done, you can stop. It’s okay to tell a reporter you don’t want to talk anymore if an interview goes too long, is too intrusive, or is uncomfortable for any other reason.
- Tell the story you want to tell. Interviewers or writers may try to persuade or even pressure you to tell your story and give information in a certain way. Remember, you are in control of what you say.
- Your family can choose your interviewer or journalist. Ask for a reporter whom you trust to do an interview with, and remember you can say no to an interview with a person or media outlet you don’t trust.
- If you don’t know, say so. If you are talking with the media and you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”
- You can change your mind if you agree to an interview and decide you don’t want to do it. Don’t feel forced into doing something you are uncomfortable with. You are in control.
