PAPYRUS Welcomes new PCC Guidance

The PCC offers new guidance on dealing with attention from the media after the death of a friend or relative.

PAPYRUS welcomes new guidance published by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) on dealing with attention from the media after the death of a friend or relative.

“Many of our members have experienced unwelcome media attention following a suicide, which has caused considerable distress at a particularly raw time when coming to terms with a death. It can also be a further unwelcome intrusion at the time of an inquest,” said Ged Flynn, PAPYRUS Chief Executive Officer. “We therefore applaud the PCC for this initiative.”

Newspapers and magazines are generally entitled to publish stories about people who have died provided that they abide by the terms of the Editors’ Code of Practice. However, for anyone not used to dealing with media, it can be daunting, especially to those grieving.

The new PCC guidance leaflet includes what to do if a friend or relative of the deceased wishes to speak to the press - and how that contact can be arranged - and what to do if they do not, including how to prevent unwanted approaches from journalists or photographers. It also includes information about material available on social networking sites and what can happen when deaths occur abroad.

The leaflet is available to download from the PCC website

Our PAPYRUS Press Office offers help and support to our members in dealing with media. Please contact Rosemary Vaux at pressoffice@papyrus-uk.org or call 020 8943 5343.