Tuesday, September 9, 2008

About grief and journalism

Because I'm still letting off some steam, I think this would be a great time to note that, as a professional journalist, it never, ever gets any easier to talk to the grieving relatives and friends of a dead child.

Trust me, I understand that it's extremely invasive and, in many respects, unspeakably rude. I wonder why or how anyone would ever entertain the idea of an interview with a reporter in the hours after a loved one has passed. I hope I would have the grace and patience to do it but I'm not completely sure.

I write this because I think sometimes people think that reporters are heartless androids, that we're pseudo-humans sent to their front doors to cause them anguish or exploit their pain. At least in my case, nothing could be further from the truth. If I never have to do that again, it'll be too soon.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

unfortunately, i've had to do that more times than i can count. if in a twisted way it counts for a skill, i think i'm all right. but it's not something i ever, ever want to do.

blackink said...

Yeah, over time, you sort of become skilled at figuring out the best way at approaching the family.

But it's nothing that I ever wanted to perfect, you know?