POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL

TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

1. Covering an - Beyond competitive factors, - Avoid describing with words - Provide no live - We do not - Except in the most
incident “live” what are your motivations for or showing with still coverage of interview a compelling
"going live?" Why do your photography and video any terrorists, which perpetrator live on circumstances, and
viewers need to know about this information that could divulge gives them an air. then only with the
story before journalists have the the tactics or positions of SWAT unedited - We do not approval of the
opportunity to edit, question or team members. propaganda broadcast any video President of CBS
filter the information off the air? - Seriously weigh the benefits platform. and/or audio News, or in the
What truth testing are you to the public of what provided by a President's
willing to give up in order to information might be given out perpetrator live on absence, the Senior
speed information to the versus what potential harm air. Vice President of
viewer? that information might cause. - We install a delay News, there should
- How does the journalist know This is especially important in when broadcasting be no live coverage
that the information they have live reporting of an ongoing live material of of the terrorist/
is true? How many sources have situation. sensitive stories, for kidnapper since we
confirmed the information? - Be forthright with viewers, example a school may fall into the
How does the source know what listeners or readers about why siege or plane trap of providing an
they say they know to be true? certain information is being hijack. This is unedited platform
What this source’s past withheld if security reasons are particularly for him/her. (This
reliability? How willing is the involved. important when the does not limit live
source to be quoted? - Challenge any gut reaction to outcome is on-the-spot
- What are the consequences "go live" from the scene of a unpredictable and reporting by CBS
short-term and long-term of hostage-taking crisis, unless we may record News reporters,
going on the air with the there are strong journalistic distressing material but care should be
information? What are the reasons for a live, on-the-scene that is unsuitable for exercised to assure
consequences of waiting for report. Things can go wrong broadcast without restraint and
additional confirmation or for a very quickly in a live report, careful thought. context.)
1
POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

regular newscast? endangering lives or damaging

- Are you prepared to air the negotiations. Furthermore, ask
worst possible outcome that if the value of a live, on-the-
could result from this unfolding scene report is really justifiable
story? (such as a person killing compared to the harm that
himself or someone else live on could occur.
TV) What outcomes are you not
willing to air? Why? How do you
know the worst possible
outcome will not occur?
- What is the tone of the
coverage? How can the
journalist raise viewer
awareness of a significant event
while minimizing hype and fear?
Who in your newsroom is
responsible for monitoring the
tone of what is being broadcast?
- What electronic safety net has
your station considered that
could minimize harm, such as a
tape and signal delay, that could
give you time to dump out of
live coverage if the situation
turns graphic, violent or
compromises the safety of
2
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

others?
- How clearly does the technical
crew at your TV station
understand the newsrooms'
standard for graphic content?
How well are guidelines
understood by directors, tape
editors, live shot techs,
photojournalists, pilots, or
engineers who might have to
make an editorial call when the
news director or other "formal
decision-maker" is not
available?
- What factor does the time of
day play in your decision to
cover a breaking event? For
example, if the event occurs
when children normally are
watching television, how does
that fact alter the tone and
degree of your coverage?
2A. Covering an - Assume the gunman/hostage - Avoid - We should also - An essential
ongoing incident taker always has access to the inflammatory consider carefully component of the
reporting. catch-words and the ethical issues story is the
- Give no information, factual phrases. raised by providing a demands of the
3
POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

or speculative, about a hostage - Report any platform to terrorist/kidnapper

taker's mental condition, state demands without hijackers, and we must report
of mind or reasons for actions propaganda and kidnappers or those demands.
while a standoff is in progress. rhetoric. hostage takers, But we should
The value of such information - Refrain from especially if they avoid providing an
to the audience is limited, and doing anything that make direct contact. excessive platform
the possibility of such could endanger the - We broadcast for the terrorist/
characterizations exacerbating lives of hostages. recordings made by kidnapper. Thus,
an already dangerous situation perpetrators, unless such
are quite real. whether of staged demands are
- Give no analyses or comments events, violent acts succinctly stated
on a hostage taker's or or their victims, only and free of rhetoric
terrorist's demands. As bizarre after referral to a and propaganda, it
or ridiculous (or even senior editorial may be better to
legitimate) as such demands figure. paraphrase the
may be, it is important that demands instead of
negotiators take all demands presenting them
seriously. directly through
- Keep news helicopters out of the voice or picture
the area where the standoff is of the terrorist/
happening, as their noise can kidnapper.
create communication - Responsible CBS
problems for negotiators and News
their presence could scare a representatives
gunman to deadly action. should endeavor to
contact experts
4
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

dealing with the

hostage situation
to determine
whether they have
any guidance on
such questions as
phraseology to be
avoided, what
kinds of questions
or reports might
tend to exacerbate
the situation, etc.

2B. Telephoning - Strongly resist the temptation - Avoid making - News personnel
the hostage- to telephone a gunman or telephone calls to should be mindful
taker/gunman/t hostage taker. Journalists terrorists of the probable
errorist generally are not trained in need by the
negotiation techniques, and authorities who are
one wrong question or dealing with the
inappropriate word could terrorist for
jeopardize someone's life. communication by
Furthermore, just calling in telephone and
could tie up phone lines or hence should
otherwise complicate endeavor to
communication efforts of the ascertain, wherever
negotiators. feasible, whether
5
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

- Notify authorities our own use of

immediately if a hostage taker such lines would be
or terrorist calls the newsroom. likely to interfere
Also, have a plan ready for how with the
to respond. authorities'
communications.
2C. Reporting - Be very cautious in any
medical reporting on the medical
condition and condition of hostages until
interviewing of after a crisis is concluded. Also,
hostages be cautious when interviewing
hostages or released hostages
while a crisis continues.

2D. Interviewing - Exercise care when

family members interviewing family members or
or friends of friends of those involved in
those involved standoff situations. Make sure
the interview legitimately
advances the story for the
public and is not simply
conducted for the shock value
of the emotions conveyed or as
a conduit for the interviewee to
transmit messages to specific
individuals
6
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

2E. Media as - Fight the urge to become a - Avoid making

player player in any standoff, hostage themselves part of
situation or terrorist incident. the story.
Journalists should become
personally involved only as a
last resort and with the explicit
approval of top news
management and the
consultation of trained hostage
negotiators on the scene.
2F. Police and - Do not report information - When reporting - As in the case of
investigating obtained from police scanners. stories relating to policy dealing with
authorities If law enforcement personnel hijacking, civil disturbances,
and negotiators are kidnapping, hostage in dealing with a
compromised in their taking or sieges we hostage story
communications, their must listen to advice reporters should
attempts to resolve a crisis are from the police and obey all police
greatly complicated. other authorities instructions but
about anything report immediately
which, if reported, to their superiors
could exacerbate any such
the situation. instructions that
- Occasionally seem to be
police/authorities intended to
will ask us to manage or
withhold or even to suppress the news.
7
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

include information.
We will normally
comply with a
reasonable request,
but we will not
knowingly broadcast
anything that is
untrue.
- The police may
even request a
complete news
black-out. The BBC
procedure for
dealing with such
requests must be
followed.
2G. Going - Go beyond the basic story of
beyond the the hostage taking or standoff
incident to report on the larger issues
behind the story, be it the how
and why of what happened,
reports on the preparation and
execution of the SWAT team, or
the issues related to the
incident.
2H. Handling - Treat each
8
 POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

victims victim with

dignity and
respect.
- Never ask: “How
do you feel?”
Never say, “I
understand how
you must be
feeling.” It is best
to simply
introduce
yourself and let
them know, “I am
sorry for your
loss.” Or, “I am
sorry for what
you are going
through today.”
- Start the
interview with
open-ended
questions that
gently prod them
into telling their
story. “When did
you learn of this?
9
POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

Who have you

spoken to so
far?” These
questions are
non-judgmental
and provide a
chance for them
to tell what they
are feeling and
thinking.
- If the person
says no to an
interview or
becomes
emotional about
the media
pushing for
information, back
off. Thank them
kindly and walk
away. Some
journalists hand
them a business
card and say, “In
case you would
like to talk later”
10
POYNTER INSTITUTE (AL POYNTER INSTITUTE (BOB DAVID PALETZ AND BBC EDITORIAL CBS NEWS INTERNATIONAL
TOMPKINS): 2000 STEELE): 1999 ALEX SCHMID GUIDELINES (PRODUCTION CENTER FOR
(EDS., TERRORISM (HIJACKING, STANDARDS FOR JOURNALISTS -
AND THE KIDNAPPING, COVERAGE OF DISASTER AND
MEDIA:1992) HOSTAGE TAKING TERRORISTS): 1977 CRISIS
AND SIEGE): 2005 COVERAGE: 2009

or “Please give
me a call if you
feel like it.”
- Give victims a
sense of control.
Ask if they would
be more
comfortable
sitting or standing
during the
interview or
whether they
would like to go
somewhere else,
away from the
chaos to talk.

11