GMA Network releases new guidelines for crisis coverage

After a thorough review of its coverage of the hostage crisis last August 23, GMA Network has released an improved set of ethical and safety guidelines for future crisis coverage. These are much more specific than the existing policies contained in the network's ethics manual. Among the highlights is a renewed commitment to avoid interviewing or even talking to hostage takers and to be more careful not to reveal the movements of law enforcers during live coverage. Network personnel shall also “assume that police may not be able to handle media or a crowd. Thus we must know when and how to restrain ourselves." The Network has said it is open to dialogue with authorities on how they can coordinate with each other during situations such as the August 23 hostage crisis. Below are the complete revised guidelines: GMA Network ethical and safety guidelines for crisis coverage 1. Exercise extra care in airing live interviews and live coverage during hostage and other situations that involve law enforcement operations that are risky to our field personnel, to those involved in the incident (e.g., hostages and hostage taker), and to the public. Always be aware that lives may be at stake. 2. In the event of live coverage, avoid revealing in video and audio the plans, positions, movements, weapons, and preparations of law enforcers. 3. Avoid interviewing or otherwise talking to hostage takers, potential suicides, and other subjects of imminent law enforcement operations. Decline police requests to negotiate or otherwise mediate with the above except for extraordinary reasons cleared with top management. 4. Never portray as acceptable the actions of hostage takers, potential suicides, and other subjects of law enforcement operations. 5. Assume that hostage takers and other subjects of police and military action are monitoring the coverage through television, radio, computer, or cell phone (via sms, web connection, or calls from others who are monitoring the coverage on other media). 6. Assume that regardless of demeanor of hostage taker or gunman, he is unstable and dangerous, and may have intent to kill. 7. Assume that police may not be able to handle media or a crowd. Thus we must know when and how to restrain ourselves. 8. Assume that children will be watching so we must make an effort to avoid graphic speech and video that could be disturbing to the viewing public. 9. Explain to viewers why certain information is being withheld. 10. Avoid airing announcements of fatalities until verified by authorities on the record and/or notification of next of kin. 11. In the coverage of any crisis involving law enforcement and rescue operations, coverage teams must use the appropriate protective equipment – including bullet-proof vests, helmets, gas masks, life vests, etc. 12. Assign professionals in our organization to focus only on the ethical, safety, and non-technical aspects of our coverage during crisis situations and give immediate feedback to decision-makers when the coverage threatens to violate our standards for safety and conduct. Safety officers and news managers can be deployed to check on the safety preparations of field personnel. 13. When possible, coordinate with the authorities when a crisis situation occurs, thus creating an opportunity for the authorities to relay information vital to our safety. 14. Avoid unnecessary risks. The safety of personnel, the public, and those directly involved in the incident is paramount. No story is worth sacrificing lives for. - GMANews.TV