New Guidelines for Reporting on Missing People: Enhancing Media Response and Sensitivity

As the family of Nicola Bulley prepares to share their story in an upcoming BBC documentary, Missing People has released a new set of guidelines to help journalists, content creators, and media producers report on missing persons with greater responsibility and sensitivity.

These comprehensive guidelines, created by Missing People, aim to provide clear, informative, and helpful direction on how to approach the delicate subject of missing persons in media coverage. They emphasize the importance of accuracy, empathy, and respect for the privacy of those involved, offering practical advice on how to report on missing persons cases without causing undue distress to families and communities, while also ensuring that the public remains informed.

Key aspects of the guidelines

Key aspects of the guidelines include:

• Use Official Sources: Base your reporting on information provided by official sources such as the immediate family, the relevant police force, and the charity Missing People.
• Respect Privacy and Sensitivity: Avoid sharing private, distressing, or potentially embarrassing information about the missing person.
• Request Consent: Approach people with a missing loved one through official sources and respect their decision whether to participate in an interview/coverage or not.
• Be Unbiased: Ensure that media reporting is fair and balanced, regardless of the missing person’s age, ethnicity, or gender.
• Highlight Support Available: Your coverage can encourage the missing person, their loved ones, and your audience to get support. Include details of Missing People’s support services.

Rosemary Douce at IPSO commented

“This is well thought-out guidance which will assist journalists when it comes to reporting the subject of missing people. This subject has arisen with sad regularity in the news agenda over the last several years, so the launch of this guidance is very timely. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to support its creation, drawing on our knowledge of press standards in this area.”

Rob, Julie, and Cathy Stammers, family of missing Anthony Stammers, shared

“Missing People’s media guidance has been created with people with living and lived experience to develop compassionate and accurate reporting. Thank you for applying the principles to your important work.”

Download the guidance

Learn more about our Media Advisory Service, and download our guidance below.