Survivors of terror attacks call for tighter reporting guidelines

Survivors of terror attacks and the families of those killed are among those calling on the media to adopt tighter guidelines on reporting the incidents, after some found out their loved ones had died from reporters on their doorstep.

- Michael Savage

A new reporting code backed by policing and media figures calls on outlets not to approach bereaved families within the first 48 hours of their loss and to instead make their inquiries via the police.

The guidelines, compiled by the Survivors Against Terror group, call on outlets to coordinate requests to victims and survivors and avoid congregating outside a victim's home. Newsrooms are also asked to reduce their focus on the names, pictures and manifestos of terrorists, depriving them of the attention they crave.

The plea comes ahead of Monday's 20th anniversary of the 7 July terror attacks in London. Among those backing the guidelines is Ella Young, a survivor of the attack that day on a westbound Circle line tube train near Edgware Road.