Public representatives
Madeleine Moon - Member of Parliament for Bridgend
The relationship between MPs and the media is not always one of harmony and ease. MPs are protective of their constituencies and are alert to any negative press coverage of events there. As an MP you dread the thought of a disaster hitting the area you know so intimately.
From experience I can say that the best insurance policy to have is the telephone number of the Press Complaints Commission. When disaster strikes and the media circus comes to town an impartial referee to help control the show is essential.
I found the PCC advice, support and guidance invaluable. Its staff helped weather the torrent of stories which varied from the inaccurate to the hurtful and distressing.
I have told colleagues that the PCC can support local families involved in stories when at their most vulnerable, and help protect them from some of the most excessive media practices.
They can help the local authority, police, fire and ambulance services to cope with myriad requests for interviews and statements.
Most importantly they are there to remind a media desperate for a new angle or an exclusive of the standards they must adhere to.
Once the story begins to die the media move on, but the PCC will help pick up the pieces. Public meetings and reflecting on and examining lessons learned are just part of the services available.
There is also the longer-term support available. Families can be contacted months and years later, just as wounds are beginning to heal, and asked to sell their story. For many this brings back memories of trauma and distress. The PCC can help here too.
I speak from experience. If disaster strikes and the media circus comes to town, contact the PCC and use their toolkit of help and support.
Many MPs refer their constituents to the PCC when they have concerns relating to articles which have been, or are likely to be, published in newspapers and magazines. MPs have acknowledged that the PCC is a free and public service which is of value to those they serve. In November 2010 the PCC held a Parliamentary Reception in the Palace of Westminster for MPs and Peers, to help further foster our working relationship with those in Parliament. Over 150 accepted our invitation to attend.
Madeleine Moon offers a personal perspective of how the PCC can become a vital tool for MPs facing tragedy in their constituency. The PCC has worked closely with Madeleine and the newspaper and magazine industry both to help individual families in Bridgend, and to ensure responsible reporting of suicides more generally. We continue to assist and advise in this crucial area and liaise with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide and Self Harm Prevention.
‒ Press Complaints Commission