"The starkest example of this is Gordon Wilson's words after the IRA murdered his daughter Marie in the Enniskillen bomb. That interview shook society and travelled around the world."
"Two years ago, I studied data which showed a collapse in the number of inquests in Northern Ireland. More and more sudden or unexplained deaths are not being properly investigated with a public inquest."
"One family wrote to us: 'No one had informed us you would be there and reporting on this inquest.' Another relative said: 'Did you think of how our family felt during the inquest and then reading details published to the world?'"
"An inquest inevitably involves death. Often it involves deaths which are either gruesome or especially tragic. It's unsurprising that one of the most common complaints we receive is about covering these proceedings."
Journalists are tasked with approaching families of deceased individuals to gather their perspectives, despite the intrusive nature of this duty. Notable stories, such as Gordon Wilson's response after the IRA bombing, emerged from such interactions. A decline in inquests in Northern Ireland raises concerns about uninvestigated deaths and the rise of conspiracy theories. Modern technology allows reporters to cover inquests remotely, but this can lead to distressing reporting experiences for families, who often express their discomfort with the media's presence and coverage.
Read at Irish Independent
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