Slides by Hazel Baker for newsrewired on 20 July

1. Working with eyewitness media: ethics & rights
Hazel Baker, Digital Editor, Sky News

2. Approaching eyewitnesses on social media
Get organised: who in
the newsroom will
make contact?
How can we make
contact? Private
message preferable.
Considerations before
contact: is eyewitness
at risk or under 18?
What is it we most
need to ask the
individual?

3. Handling responses from eyewitnesses
“Gun shots heard. We are all in our rooms. Very
scared. Can you tell me what is happening?”
“Yes I can talk, but I don’t have much battery left...”
“Of course you can use it! I’ll go back out now and
see if I can get any more.”
“My mate sent it to me, but he says it’s fine to use.”
[ no reply ]

4. What do eyewitnesses
need from us?
A calm and
sensitive
approach
Updates and links
to their material
Consideration
of their
personal safety
Clarity over
how we will
use content
Recognition and
sometimes reward