Does anyone here know how to deal with the press?

DVardysShadow

cathryn107 wrote: »

The Press Complaints Commission have a helpline specifically for normal members of the public who have been caught up in media events.

http://www.pcc.org.uk/contact/index.html

Have a chat with them. I think that if you are determined not to speak they can ask papers to leave you alone.

I would not trust them further than you could throw them - I would only involve them if it reached the point that they could not make things worse.

cathryn107

I would not trust them further than you could throw them - I would only involve them if it reached the point that they could not make things worse.

Hmmm. I know where you're coming from but the PCC has previously been (probably deliberately) useless rather than malicious. I suspect that due to the Leveson Inquiry etc it wants to be seen to be doing something - particularly with regards to Joe Public. It can take pre-emptive action if someone is being harassed before a story is published. 'Crime victim hassled by journalists' is not something they would relish at this period in time.

skint_chick

I agree with the poster who recommended Victim Support, I was in the same situation as you and they sent someone to the court with me to sit with me while I was waiting to be called as witness. I didn't go to the sentencing, I was told later what happened - I wouldn't go if I was you because you'll be worrying about press tackling you/taking photos and IMO I still had the same reaction in private at home that I would have had in the courtroom public gallery. However great your poker face is you'd need to be a major Hollywood actress to not give away any emotion at the sentencing.

Don't talk about it with anyone, friend or not, if they ask just respond with a standard phrase - mine was "I don't wish to discuss it, thanks" and I used that with EVERYONE who asked. I told my boss because I didn't want them to hear it second hand and it's been a great relief to know that I have their support and however much they are probably judging me for ever being around this person they kept it to themselves. The papers didn't have photos of me but did publish details of things I hadn't even told OH about the events which was :eek: but he took it all in his stride and was a great support. Everyone else has stuff going on in their life that means they'll forget it in no time, like a fight with their partner, flat tyre, bills that need paid so just keep your head down and soldier on.

Nicki

OP, some well meaning but terrible advice on this thread I'm afraid!

I was a solicitor who specialised in this area of the law for many years up until about 10 years ago. There aren't all that many, and very few outside London. You would be wasting your time phoning a provincial solicitor out of yellow pages and asking for the partner who knows about privacy, I'm afraid. Whilst you might get someone who blags that they know what to do, you are unlikely to get anyone who knows more than some of the (wrong) opinions already posted here.

You are only entitled to anonymity in very few cases - being the victim of a rape or sexual assault, being a minor, or being the victim of blackmail. Otherwise, there is nothing you can do about the press reporting what was said in open court. During the trial, they shouldn't report anything else due to contempt laws, but afterwards might be open season, so be vigilant for a few months afterwards too.

It is very very difficult to get an Order imposing reporting restrictions, and as a matter of principle, if a judge were to make such an Order, the press would usually club together and apply for it to be discharged immediately. That would lead to you incurring the expense of two court hearings with legal representation.

The advice about how to conduct yourself is good though. Be polite, well mannered, discreet, avoid photo opportunities, stay away from court as much as you can, and let those who want to hog the limelight do so. Screen your phone calls, and always use the same brush off comment whatever is thrown at you. "I am not making any comment on this matter". Be careful of getting drawn into denying outrageous things thrown at you, as refusing to answer questions following on from that will look bad.

Make use of Victim Support, CPS, Police liaison officers and anyone and everyone else official who comes across your path.

If you want more detailed advice on anything, or a recommendation for a lawyer specialising in this field, feel free to PM me.

barbiedoll

OP, I haven't been in your situation but I have dealt with the press when I worked for the police and we were dealing with a high-profile case.

The press are horrible, they will try any tactic to get you or anyone close to you, to talk to them. If they don't get a direct quote, they will make one up.

Do tell your employer, they may well ring up and pretend to be someone else, I once spoke to a journalist who pretended to be a relative of a rape victim. This is what they do so be prepared.

Get a cheap PAYG mobile and use it for a couple of months, only give out the number to trusted friends/family and turn off your current mobile for the time being.

Good advice about the hat/sunglasses, and do resist the temptation to be at the court for the sentencing, you have nothing to gain by being there and you will be fair game for photographers etc.

Warn friends and family and tell them to on no account, speak to anyone they don't know who rings up or calls at the door.

Good luck, it will all blow over sooner or later. Keep your head down and your wits about you.

Ms_Chocaholic

I see that you mentioned social media ... the first thing that sprung to my mind was to ensure that your privacy settings on your own accounts and that of your friends is set to the absolute highest it can be - to avoid the press getting access to photos from your/your friend's profiles.

Sorry I can't help out with the press but wanted to offer this small bit of advice in the hope it helps.

vax2002

If you are the victim you are covered under the precincts of the court, the press can not name or picture you, it would be contempt of court.

Nicki

vax2002 wrote: »

If you are the victim you are covered under the precincts of the court, the press can not name or picture you, it would be contempt of court.

Rubbish. Victims of crimes can and are named all the time unless victims of certain protected crimes. Can't be photographed in court but can be photographed walking there and back or in the pub, leaving their house, etc.

Seriously, don't give legal advice if you don't know what you are talking about for something as sensitive as this!

If press can't identify the victim of a crime, how do we know for example that John Terry was prosecuted for racially abusing Antonio Ferdinand to pick a very recent example?

judyjetson

Get in touch with Victim Support first of all. They will literally have all the answers to your questions, no matter how trivial you think they are.

Secondly, I wouldn't go to the sentencing. If it's high profile enough to interest the media, the public gallery is likely to be full and it can be quite emotionally charged. You can always have Victim Support contact you afterwards with the outcome, or you or someone else can phone the court.

Hope everything goes ok for you.

GlynD

Nicki wrote: »

OP, some well meaning but terrible advice on this thread I'm afraid!

I was a solicitor who specialised in this area of the law for many years up until about 10 years ago. There aren't all that many, and very few outside London. You would be wasting your time phoning a provincial solicitor out of yellow pages and asking for the partner who knows about privacy, I'm afraid. Whilst you might get someone who blags that they know what to do, you are unlikely to get anyone who knows more than some of the (wrong) opinions already posted here.

You are only entitled to anonymity in very few cases - being the victim of a rape or sexual assault, being a minor, or being the victim of blackmail. Otherwise, there is nothing you can do about the press reporting what was said in open court. During the trial, they shouldn't report anything else due to contempt laws, but afterwards might be open season, so be vigilant for a few months afterwards too.

It is very very difficult to get an Order imposing reporting restrictions, and as a matter of principle, if a judge were to make such an Order, the press would usually club together and apply for it to be discharged immediately. That would lead to you incurring the expense of two court hearings with legal representation.

The advice about how to conduct yourself is good though. Be polite, well mannered, discreet, avoid photo opportunities, stay away from court as much as you can, and let those who want to hog the limelight do so. Screen your phone calls, and always use the same brush off comment whatever is thrown at you. "I am not making any comment on this matter". Be careful of getting drawn into denying outrageous things thrown at you, as refusing to answer questions following on from that will look bad.

Make use of Victim Support, CPS, Police liaison officers and anyone and everyone else official who comes across your path.

If you want more detailed advice on anything, or a recommendation for a lawyer specialising in this field, feel free to PM me.

I knew somebody would come along sooner or later who knew the facts. Although I'm glad to see your advice mirrors mine.