I don’t know how many times I’ve seen reporters portrayed in television dramas and in movies as insensitive, aggressive jerks, intent only on getting the story. These fictional reporters elbow their way past the cops and shove their microphones and cameras into the faces of grieving widows or orphaned children to ask, “How does it feel”, to lose a loved one.

Fiction is not reality. As a news director, I have watched as young reporters struggle to overcome their (legitimate) reluctance to call the family of a crash or murder victim. You might ask how I, as a veteran journalist, can push them to intrude. Well, here’s the way it really works, at least at FOX Fort Wayne.

I have always encouraged reporters to first call people who know the family, i.e. ministers, funeral directors, or more distant relations such as uncles. Then, I insist that we let the victims’ families know that we are available to help them tell their story — If that is what THEY want. Our role is to get the story, but it is also and always to minimize the harm in getting the news.

The results of this philosophy could be seen last night in Marchelle McConnell’s excellent report on the family of Brandon Replogle, the West Noble High School senior who died in a car crash Tuesday. Brandon’s family wanted to share their loss and publicly acknowledge what a great person he was. Marchelle gave them that opportunity.

I can tell you that Marchelle was conflicted when she began this story. By being a sensitive and caring person she helped a family deal with their grief.

So don’t trust the dramatic media’s portrayal of reporters. It’s not that way at all.