Taking action in the event of a disappearance

Be aware that your objectives may not necessarily align with those of the journalist.

You have the right to tell journalists how you envision the interview and what questions you do not wish to answer. You can also choose to decline an interview. First and foremost, it is important to remember that a journalist’s job is to gather information, write an article, or create a report to present facts and inform the public. Due to market pressures, journalists are often compelled to publish “attention-grabbing” articles.

Participating in an interview, whether for a televised report or a newspaper article, undoubtedly helps raise awareness about your missing child and may generate valuable witness accounts. Every interview supports the cause of missing children, which remains a sensitive topic in France, and contributes to preventing future disappearances. Your testimony is crucial for families affected by child disappearances and for the efforts of 116 000 Enfants Disparus.

However, media exposure also puts the spotlight on your child, potentially leading to long-term consequences. It is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding to publicize a disappearance. For guidance, you can seek support from the communication team at Droit d’Enfance.

We recommend reaching out to regional daily newspapers first. Research the newspapers in your area and try to contact the editor-in-chief or the journalist responsible for local news.

If the local press agrees to publish your case, it may create a “snowball effect” with the national press. National media closely monitor regional publications, and if they find your story relevant, they will contact you directly.

If you are unsure how to find the right contacts, the professionals at Droit d’Enfance can assist you.

Whether you are the one reaching out or a journalist contacts you, it is extremely important to prepare your intervention carefully to avoid being caught off guard.

• Take the time to think about the message(s) you want to convey. Don’t forget to clearly specify the date and location of the disappearance, as well as all details related to your child: their age and physical description. You can also indicate how to share their missing person notice.
• Protect your privacy. Even if you have requested media coverage of your child’s disappearance, you may not want your entire life, or theirs, exposed to the public. Set clear boundaries on what you want to be shared about you, your child, and/or your family. Some journalists like to delve into personal details—remember that the article or report is meant for the general public. You have the right not to answer questions you find too personal. You also have the right, especially if the media contacts you, to request anonymity (blurring, voice distortion, etc.). Stay in control of your image! However, keep in mind that a blurred report is much less likely to be broadcast.
• Don’t hesitate to discuss your interview with the journalist. Explain your motivations and try to understand the focus of their article or report. You can ask in advance for the questions they plan to ask, and you can also request to review the draft article or receive a recording of the interview or broadcast before it airs.

An image is worth more than a long speech. It sparks the curiosity of readers, makes statements more realistic, and conveys emotion to the viewers. Journalists are therefore eager to “create an image.” They seek emotion, sometimes at the expense of your message. Do not let them stage you and defend your message first.

Personal image is protected by Article 9 of the Civil Code relating to privacy violations. Violating this image may constitute the offense of invasion of privacy under Article 226-1 of the Penal Code. However, if you did not oppose the recording or capture of your image or words when you were able to, your consent is presumed. You will not be able to claim afterward that you did not agree. Therefore, if you allow yourself to be photographed, the person taking the photo is free to use it.

If a journalist asks you to film your interview, your living space (such as your child’s room), or take photos, you need to clearly determine the terms of use for your image and/or your child’s image: What purpose has the permission been granted for? What will be the duration of the image’s use? On which platform will your image be used?…

Remember, you can refuse!

The media coverage of a minor is only possible if their parents, or the person holding parental authority, give their consent. The journalist will ask for written permission; we advise you to carefully study the document before signing it and discuss it with the journalist and your child to clearly define the terms of the interview.

Children or young people do not easily distinguish what they can and cannot say, and they cannot evaluate the impact of their testimony (for example, it is possible that their schoolmates and their parents will read the article, and their perception of the young person will change…). The 116 000 Enfants Disparus advises parents to discuss this with their child and wait until the child has gained some perspective before offering them the opportunity to testify (waiting a few years). The experience of a disappearance, whether it is a runaway, parental abduction, or a worrying disappearance, is extremely traumatic for a child, and it is already painful enough for them to talk about it with their parents or professionals.

Moreover, the 116 000 Enfants Disparus advocates for the right to be forgotten for missing children. The media frequently use the internet, and often, their content is reused and/or shared on social media… This can, in some cases, be very helpful when the child is being searched for, but when they are found, the publications do not disappear. In the future, this can cause issues for the child, for example, when looking for an internship or job. Please note that it is now possible to request some search engines to delete one’s “digital reputation.” However, it is very important for parents and young people to agree to testify, not only at the time of the disappearance but also afterward, in order to raise public awareness of these dramatic events.

It is possible that your words were misinterpreted or misunderstood, and that you are being attributed statements you never intended to make… You can take action!

First, address the concerned journalist and ask them to correct the inaccurate information, especially if it’s an article that can be modified online, or request a right of reply if it’s a printed article or filmed interview.

If they disagree, you can send a registered letter to the editor-in-chief to express your complaints and request a right of reply.

• Be cautious with your word choice When we are emotionally affected by what we are sharing, we tend to get carried away and use more casual language than usual, saying things that go beyond what we meant…
• Consider non-verbal communication The gestures and attitudes you adopt during your interview can either reinforce your message or completely undermine it (for example, a slightly violent gesture, an aggressive or threatening tone…). It is also important to keep in mind that image matters greatly in the audiovisual world, and your appearance is your first tool. Viewers tend to give more credit to someone who appears well-groomed, and you will likely feel more comfortable too.
• Saying a little less rather than a little more Try to answer concisely, directly, and never accuse others. As much as possible, focus on the facts to give more weight and credibility to your account.