Murder is a serious type of criminal homicide in which an intentional act results in the death of another person. It is classified into different degrees based on the level of premeditation and intent that distinguishes it from other types of unlawful killings such as manslaughter. In most jurisdictions, first-degree murder convictions result in severe legal penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty. These harsh penalties are intended to deter and punish the perpetrators of this most serious type of homicide.
It is important for journalists to be sensitive when writing about murders and other serious incidents involving the death of a person. However, it is also vital that they report the facts. This is why the guidelines below are a useful tool for journalists covering news stories involving murdered persons.
If a victim is notable enough to warrant an article on their own (or an additional standalone page if appropriate) then they should be given that designation in the article about their murder. Notable victims can be included in articles on mass shootings and terrorist attacks but should generally not be featured on their own unless they were also notable for some other reason prior to their murder (e.g. John Roll).
Writing about violence can be difficult and it is essential to create realistic scenes. To do this, it’s important to understand the backstory of your violent character and how they might have become that way. This article from Story Grid gives lots of tips on how to do this well.