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Original poster

First potential experience of a journalist/story. How does it work?

17 replies

bubble99 · 14/10/2005 19:56

I'm trying to contact the health editor of The Guardian. I think her name is Sarah Boseley (sp?) But I can't find a contact email on their website. Also, If she is interested in my story, do I get any approval over what she writes. I'm keen to highlight that the senior midwife in an NHS f***p was blameless.

OP posts:
startingtobehalloweenylover · 14/10/2005 20:01

The Guardian and Observer newspapers may be reached at
119 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3ER
United Kingdom

Individual journalists may generally be emailed using this formula: [email protected] or [email protected]

startingtobehalloweenylover · 14/10/2005 20:02

oh and it's boseley!

so e-mail will be

[email protected]

scaryclary · 14/10/2005 20:07

bubble I can't speak for the Guardian but where I work we don't normally allow anyone copy approval unless it's some kind of trade-off deal (eg editorial about a reader offer etc) and even then rather unwillingly. It can be frustrating because any journalist will use obviously what you actually say, but they will put their own spin on it and highlight what they think the story is, which might not necessarily be what you think it is iyswim. What I'm trying to say is, while no journalist worth their salt would actually misquote you, they might omit bits you would like to see mentioned.
I guess it's worth makign a point that you want such andsuch a point to go in, and asking if you could see the article before it's published - but you may get a dusty answer on that one.
(sorry, not trying to be unsympathtic, I know a bit about yr very moving and tragic story and hope the woman you are trying to speak to will be helpful. just trying to be honest about my profession I guess.)

spidermama · 14/10/2005 20:10

Could you write it yourself and try to get it published as an article in its own right?
You're certainly very eloquent.

Original poster
bubble99 · 14/10/2005 20:22

I'd love to spidey. But time is an issue. Also, would it get published? I know there are journalists here on mnet who could do a good job with it, and they certainly 'know' me and the effect the whole sad event has had on me and my family, I am determined to get our story in a national.

I spoke to the Healthcare Commission today who were very helpful. Complaint has now been made and documented, just need to wait for someone to investigate it.

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scaryclary · 14/10/2005 20:34

bubble I think you are certianly more likely to get it published if it is written by a journalist who has interviewed you (ie you know then that they want it).
However, there's nothing wrong with writing a precis of yr story and sending it in to the paper sort of as a letter and asking if they want to follow it up. But as you say, that would take time which I'm guessing you don't have a lot of.

aloha · 14/10/2005 20:37

I always offer copy approval with sensitive personal stories - in that I always let my interviewees read the copy and correct any mistakes. It's not that unusual. The BBC had a specific policy when it owned Eve that all interviewees HAD to be read their quotes back, though that is highly unusual.
I think journalists are sometimes unreasonably afraid of giving copy approval.

motherinferior · 14/10/2005 20:40

Bubble, I have had some dealings with Sarah B and have a lot of time for her. I would however suggest a couple of other Guardian journalists as well/instead. CAT me and I will give you their details.

FrightfullyPoshFloss · 14/10/2005 20:41

Bubble, why the gaurdian specifically? I think the observer was starting a campaign about this topic that is relevent to you back in the summer when maternity care was in the spotlight. Or will it be one and the same since they were taken over?

Original poster
bubble99 · 14/10/2005 20:47

Time is definately in short supply, SC. I can understand why so many people just let it lie. Baby/mum/dad...etc...dies due to an NHS Fk up, and they have as good as admitted that the care we received caused Bo's death. I would love to leave this behind and get on with life with my beautiful boys. But...but. I know that they will have bullied the senior m/wife who was on duty that night. Sure enough, the letter came back saying that her workload was not excessive. She was overstretched, I'm a nurse myself and know an understaffed unit when I see one. In addition to my twins distress, one mother was alone and crying and cruising towards PND (again) as she'd had her fourth boy, another two needed help to breastfeed and no staff were available to help. I'm sure an office bod (with no nursing experience) would discount these patients' needs as 'non-essential.' The whole thing makes me so angry.

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motherinferior · 14/10/2005 20:59

Please CAT me, sweetie - I used to be a press officer before I hopped over the fence to be a hack, and my brain is whirring...

Original poster
bubble99 · 14/10/2005 21:03

Thanks, MI. Will do.

Floss. You're an ITU nurse. Do you find that time dealing with the 'machine that goes bing' is acknowledged by the suits, but not time dealing with personal issues which are as important? A non-nurse can never understand how much time, spent with a patient to explain a procedure or a mum, to help with breastfeeding for example can speed a recovery from illness/childbirth.

My twins and I did not fall into this category anyway. We needed experienced/qualified medical care, and there wasn't any available

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scaryclary · 14/10/2005 22:00

aloha that's really cool about copy apporval, of course I didn't mean to suggest that all journalists are hardened horrible hacks.
I thin kyou're right that some are unecessarily afraid - when I have let someone see a story they have nearly always been very happy with it.

FrightfullyPoshFloss · 14/10/2005 22:18

Bubble, I think in ITU where I am we are very lucky. The doctors are around much more than on the ward or a maternity unit, and are actually very defensive of us as nurses and defend us a great deal. And you don't argue with a consultant now do you, whoever you are. I think we do find though, that those who are out of uniform, very quickly 'forget' what the job is like and find it hard to understand why things haven't been done. The old unit manager was very much like that, once refusing to come out on to an absolutely manic unit which was dangerously understaffed as he had too much to do in the office. Does that help at all? I do understand what you mean, totally.

Frizbe · 14/10/2005 22:35

Bubble, I thought of your story the other day when ITV lunchtime news covered the staffing crisis re delivery/postnatal care, was surprised your story wasn't there actually.....maybe they'd be interested to hear from you too?

hunkerpumpkin · 14/10/2005 22:42

Is it only print media you're interested in, Bubble?

As always, here if you need anything - goodness knows what I can do (although could try to find out who best to contact at the BBC for you?) - but always here. FWIW, I think you're doing the right thing - the hospital are trying their damndest to cover this up and move on in a hush hush nobody need know, thank goodness the parents were reasonable kind of way IMO. Bastards

Original poster
bubble99 · 15/10/2005 21:22

MI. Have CAT'd you.

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