Sensitivity training for journalists
It’s easy for journalists to get caught up in the quest for more information and to lose sight of what people might be going through during a crisis. But a Virginia Tech student made it clear where his priorities lay, as he spoke with Larry King last night about the campus shootings:
VOLTMER: Yes, we stayed in the dorm for a while until we heard that the situation was completely over and then I went to see a friend at the hospital who had been shot.
KING: And how did he come out?
VOLTMER: She’s doing good. It was really reassuring to see her. She smiled and the first thing she said was, “How are you guys?” And it was really good. She was really appreciative we were there….
KING: And your friend, the girl, will be OK?
VOLTMER: She’ll be fine. She’s recovering nicely….
KING: Danny, did your girlfriend tell you how it happened to her?
VOLTMER: No, I wasn’t going to ask her any questions like that.
KING: Obviously.
VOLTMER: I didn’t know what to say when I walked in the room. I just wanted her to rest.
[emphasis added and conversation condensed from the transcript]
Perhaps not so obvious, eh Larry?
Posted: April 17th, 2007 under Asking Questions, Journalistic Credibility, Larry King.