How Do You Manage Sensitive Stories in Editing?
Navigating the complexities of sensitive stories requires a delicate balance of integrity and caution, so we reached out to editing professionals for their insights. From providing ample opportunity for response to prioritizing transparency, here are six crucial considerations from seasoned experts.
- Give Ample Opportunity to Respond
- Document Everything, Protect Anonymity
- Have Empathy for the Subject and Readers
- Implement Legal Safeguards
- Commit to Dignity and Respect
- Prioritize Transparency
Give Ample Opportunity to Respond
I would say the most important thing is to reach out multiple times to the company the sensitive story is about. That way, you give them an opportunity to respond. And you can say in the story that you tried to reach them.
Also, make sure you have sources on the record that are saying anything controversial.
If other media publications, or another investigative journalist, is already investigating the company, that is a good way to validate the story.
Document Everything, Protect Anonymity
The key to managing a sensitive story is the same as managing any conflict: document everything. The more data points you have to reference, the more informed your decisions can be.
As journalists, we have to protect source anonymity. Keep only the people who are essential to the story in the loop, and everyone else on staff on a need-to-know basis.
When you're responsible for a sensitive story, you take on the burden of becoming an expert on the subject. You owe it to yourself, your sources, and every potential reader to know what you're talking about.
Have Empathy for the Subject and Readers
The subject is the story, above all else. That's normally the rule with writing. However, regarding sensitive topics, the people involved are the most important. They come first and have to be treated with care and respect. You must also consider the reader and how your story may trigger them.
I interviewed a mother some years ago who was also a head teacher at a prominent private school. Her story was a harrowing account of how she and her family dealt with both of her teenage children's addictions to hard drugs. She wanted to tell her story to warn other families but didn't want to be identified.
Her story was heart-wrenching, and how she dealt with the issue demonstrated great courage, strength, and unconditional love. Above all, I prioritized her wish for anonymity while conveying the story's essential message. I focused on the overarching issue of addiction and the valuable lessons she wanted to share with other parents. I framed her narrative with empathy, highlighting the complexities and challenges she faced. I avoided specific identifiers that could inadvertently reveal her, and I balanced the sensitive details with a broader analysis of the impact on families, offering resources for support. I also ensured she reviewed the final draft for approval before publication. In doing so, I fostered trust and demonstrated respect for her willingness to share.
Implement Legal Safeguards
Last year, we published an in-depth investigation into workers' rights issues at a prominent animal rights organization. The reporter spent months carefully building trust with current and former employees, encouraging them to come forward with their accounts of mistreatment and unfair labor practices within the organization.
Given the notoriously litigious nature of the organization's leadership, several of the sources were understandably nervous about speaking out publicly. As the publication date approached, one source even considered withdrawing their participation out of fear of potential retaliation.
To combat this and further protect the identities of the anonymous sources who chose to share their stories, we worked closely with a lawyer prior to publication. We educated the sources about the potential legal risks they could face, and took steps to ensure their anonymity was preserved. This included scrubbing any identifying details from the published article, using pseudonyms, and carefully vetting the information to avoid inadvertently revealing the sources' identities. The lawyer also reviewed the article to assess the strength of the reporting and the organization's potential avenues for legal action. The preparation and legal safeguards put in place allowed the sources to courageously share their stories without fear of repercussions.
Commit to Dignity and Respect
At Invisible People, we approach sensitive storytelling with a deep commitment to authenticity and empathy. Our mission is to highlight the complex reality of homelessness and help readers recognize that each individual's experience is unique. We prioritize amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences, allowing them to share their narratives and advocate for themselves. In fact, we have several writers who have lived experience with homelessness. Their input and willingness to share intimate details about their experiences have helped us define how we reach a wider audience.
Central to our approach is a commitment to dignity and respect. Finding the right balance between garnering attention and respecting the sensitivity of the subject matter is crucial, especially in today's media landscape, where sensationalism and misinformation abound. It's about capturing the essence of the story without exploiting the tragedy or the individuals involved.
Throughout our editorial process, we delve into the systemic issues at the root of homelessness, empowering our audience to grasp the complexities of the crisis. We urge action, whether it's engaging with policymakers, supporting fundraising efforts, or simply sharing our news articles and stories to broaden awareness about the challenges faced by the homeless community. We aim to amplify the truth about homelessness, cultivating empathy and understanding among our readership while upholding our reputation as a reliable source of news on homelessness.
Prioritize Transparency
There was this one time we received a story pitch about the ethics of meat production, and it was pretty sensitive given the nature of our business. We knew it was important to address these concerns thoughtfully while still staying true to our editorial guidelines.
First off, we made sure to thoroughly research the topic, gathering perspectives from experts in the field to ensure we were presenting a well-rounded view. Then, we crafted the story in a way that acknowledged the ethical dilemmas while also highlighting our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices in meat production. Transparency was key here, so we made sure to include facts and figures to support our claims and provide readers with all the information they needed to form their own opinions.
Throughout the process, we also consulted with our legal team to ensure we were adhering to all regulations and avoiding any potential legal issues. In the end, we published a piece that addressed the sensitive subject matter with integrity, and it sparked some really meaningful conversations within our community.
