Journalisters förhållningssätt till sörjande intervjupersoner : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om journalisters hantering av känsliga intervjuer

Sammanfattning

Serious crimes and fatal accidents are often the focus of media reporting and have always held high news value. This study aims to examine how Swedish journalists approach interviews with grieving individuals. These may be people who are close relatives of those who have passed away in relation to crimes or accidents. Training on how to handle and approach interview situations with grieving individuals is not typically included in journalism education. While the professional ethics, such as the official Code of Ethics for the Press, Radio and Television provide some guidance, they can be seen as insufficient in certain aspects, particularly in how journalists should act in these situations. To explore this, we conducted a qualitative interview study, interviewing 10 journalists experienced in interviewing grieving individuals. The participants were from both local and national newsrooms. We analyzed the data using the theory of professionalization and Carl Rogers' client-centered therapy. The results showed that some newsrooms had implemented their own editorial guidelines on how journalists should handle interviews with grieving individuals, most of which were from national newsrooms. Other newsrooms did not have specific editorial guidelines and instead adhered to the professional ethics. Some journalists indicated that the professional guidelines were not particularly helpful and instead relied on their own experience. The journalists employed various methods to build trust and show respect for the interviewee, such as active listening. Some journalists aimed to maintain a professional demeanor during interviews with grieving individuals, avoiding excessive displays of emotion, while still showing that they were moved by the interviewee's story. The results also showed that grieving interviewees often had a positive experience with the interview and publication, feeling that it helped preserve the memory of the deceased. This study provides valuable insights for journalists on how to approach grieving interviewees and highlights the balance journalists must maintain between their professional responsibilities and ethical considerations when handling sensitive situations.