Does anyone here know how to deal with the press?

publicityshy

Hi, I’m a regular poster on this site, but have done the typical thing & signed up under a new name for this. This is because I want to keep my anonymity and my usual profile and previous posts identify things like my age and location, and I need to be more vague for this.

Some time ago, someone I know was arrested. He’s currently in prison, due in court soon, and my understanding from the police is that he will plead guilty to various offences. So no trial, just sentencing. I am a witness/victim in relation to some of the offences, and I have nothing to do with the others.

The thing I need help with is this. The story of what’s happened is one that will attract media attention. My relationship with him is a small, but significant, part of the whole thing. However, I have no interest at all in being in the media, speaking to the media or otherwise doing anything to extend and publicise the trauma I’ve gone through. I’ve got on with my life. I don’t want it dragged back up again. However I’m sure the press will have other ideas, and there are plenty of other people out there who I know are all too willing to talk about their part in it.

So far I’ve simply ignored the one journalist that tried to get in contact. I have taken what steps I can to manage my on-line presence on social media (facebook etc). My friends know that I’m not interested in talking, and that I would disapprove of them doing so. But after that I have simply no idea how to deal with this situation, it’s just not in my frame of reference at all.

Can anyone help? I don’t want to give away any information that may identify the case, so I’m trying to avoid the specifics. What I’m looking for is any practical tips or advice on things I should do or not do to get through this. Should I tell my employer for example? Will the fact that other people seem to want to tell their bit of the story help the focus away from me, or is it not like that? And how do I cope emotionally? Can anyone who’s been in this sort of a situation help me understand what’s about to happen to me? I'm so out of my depth, I don't even knwo what I should be asking....

Also, I am planning to go to court to see him being sentenced (i.e. public gallery rather than as a witness). But again I’ve never been anywhere near a court. How does that work? Do I just rock up on the day & say ‘Hi can I come in?’, or is there more to it than that? Or is that a dumb idea if the press might be there?

Thanks for reading.

Tropez

Speak to a solicitor. They can discuss ways that you can legally protect your right to anonymity.

heretolearn_2

Hi

Sounds like a nasty situation, good luck with it all.

I can give you a little bit of advice on the press side. Without knowing all the details then hard to say exactly how interesting you will be to them, but here's a few tips for you.

You are under no obligation to speak to anyone you don't want to. Reporters can be very persuasive though, and are good at, well, not quite tricking people into talking, but in getting someone who didn't intend to say anything to slip stuff out.

It's easiest to have a prepared phrase in mind and use it as a constant and unvarying response to all questions/enquiries. Or you can just blank them, but a lot of people find that difficult as they feel 'rude'. So rehearse saying 'I'm not commenting or issuing any statement' until you can say it in your sleep, and use that to reply to phone calls/reporters at door/in street. Follow it with 'goodbye' and put the phone down/shut the door/walk off. End of conversation. Don't get into anything other than that. Ignore anything else they say. No answering a response from them on why you don't want to talk to them etc.

You can be photographed in a public place, it's up to you whether you want to cooperate or not though, you can stick your head down and keep moving if you like. Try not to look angry/annoyed though as pics like that can be twisted, or even smiling depending on the circumstances. If ever you need a poker face, try it now. Neutral. If you do agree to stop for a photo and they ask you to move to a certain spot, turn round and look at what is behind you. Make sure there's nothing in the background (another person/poster/grafitti/shop/whatever) that is somehow going to create an impression in the photo. i.e. don't let yourself be posed in front of grafitti that says 'drugs are great!' or 'kill all coppers'. Think about why they may have wanted you in that exact spot.

publicityshy

Tropez wrote: »

Speak to a solicitor. They can discuss ways that you can legally protect your right to anonymity.

How would I find a suitable solicitor & how much would one cost? Do I just google solicitor <my location>, or is there something more specific I should look for? Told you I don't have a clue!

heretolearn - thank you. That's exactly the sort of tips I'm after. Will get in front of a mirror & practice a poker face asap!

weepingtree

I have a little bit of experience with this, some years ago a FRIEND of mine was accused and eventually convicted of a pretty nasty crime.

The problem was that while we were quite close friends, he had apparently told his relatives and friends of ours that we were seeing each. Which we definately were not ! I had a boyfriend.

Anyway he apparently blamed me for dumping him and this caused his distress and anger and leading him to losing control on the night he comitted his offence.

This led to a lot of strain on me and my boyfriend at the time and our families and friends, yes the press did try to get hold of us directly and via relatives and friends.

We ignored any direct contact and were lucky in that we had good people around us who looked after us and our privacy for the duration of things.

So in my case my advice would be just to keep ignoring and ask all friends and family to do the same it worked for us.

peachyprice

And get yourself a pair of big sunglasses and hat/scarf (think Kylie when she doesn't want to be photographed). It's far easier to avoid anyone catching your eye if you know they can't see yours IYSWIM.

Victim Support should also be able to offer advice and may be able to help with the details of a solicitor who specialises in this type of case.

http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Lovelyjoolz

publicityshy wrote: »

How would I find a suitable solicitor & how much would one cost? Do I just google solicitor <my location>, or is there something more specific I should look for?

Google or Yellow Pages, get a list of local solicitors, ring them all up and ask to speak with a partner who has experience in privacy laws. Have a chat to them about what your fears are and they will most likely be happy to tell you what it is and isn't possible to do.

A decent solicitor will chat to you over the phone at some length for free, give you your options and tell you to come and see them if you want to instruct their services. A less decent solicitor will try and get you to make an appointment straight away to come in and discuss it. For which they will, in all likelihood, charge you. Talk to a few until you find one you like and are comfortable with. You'll find one.

Tropez

publicityshy wrote: »

How would I find a suitable solicitor & how much would one cost? Do I just google solicitor <my location>, or is there something more specific I should look for? Told you I don't have a clue!

heretolearn - thank you. That's exactly the sort of tips I'm after. Will get in front of a mirror & practice a poker face asap!

I can't comment on fees as solicitors costs vary depending on the case and how much work they have to do. In general, they will make an application to the court for your details to remain private.

Are you in contact yet with the prosecutor? It is quite possible that they will know of someone who can assist you in keeping your details, image and name out of the media as they will likely have dealt with such cases before.

Google searching likely won't be too much help. What you need comes under privacy laws but privacy law itself concerns quite the variety and as a result it can be time consuming to find a solicitor who deals with what you're looking for. You could try local solicitors though to see if they can help because even if they can't, they may very well be able to recommend someone who can.

You could try searching on the Law Society's website for local solicitors and head from there.

RAS

I do not think a solicitor is remotely necessary here.

Speak to Victim Support.Explain that you want to attend the sentencing and ask if they can help you maintain your privacy when you leave the court. Is there any chance that the reporters even know who you are visually? If not, you may well be able to go in without them realising. Just be careful what you say in public (so they do nto realise your role) Are you entitled to witness anonimity?

Personally I got a really helpful phone call from my police support officer warning me that the media had picked up the story and I might not want to read that day's paper.

However expect the media to use any victim statement to the full. Also expect them to get hold of any NGO that covers people who have been victims of this type of crime and get a "victimising" comment.

PasturesNew

If it were me I'd rent a seaside caravan for a week..... and go away. Then it'll all be over when you get back and anybody the reporters grabbed at the time will already be yesterday's old chip papers.

GlynD

The suggestion to contact Victim Support is a good one and I strongly suggest you do so straight away. What you have to be wary of however is the press doing what they want, regardless of the law. If they print your name then I would immediately lodge a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission. Be aware that they will take some time to get a result and make the paper print an apology which will also feature your name and maybe bring the whole thing back for you. You should also speak to a lawyer but be aware that the PPC will not proceed if legal proceedings are ongoing. Don't let that deter you. Depending on your income you might also get legal aid to sue the paper(s) in question.

It's not straightforward and the press know that which is why they take liberties.

As for which solicitor I think many here (including me) could direct you to a good litigation lawyer (because that's what you need) but we'd need to know what county you're from at least in order to advise properly. I'm in NI so if you are too just PM me and I'll give you a name.