In 2024, lead researcher Prof. Sarah Wayland, The Missed Foundation, and families from our network collaborated to understand the relationship between the media and those living with the loss of a missing loved one. Published in the International Journal of Missing Persons (March 2026), this research highlights the power of the media and the need for trauma-informed reporting guidelines in Australia.

The Reality for Families

Families often rely on the media to keep a search in the public eye, but the research highlighted that this engagement is often uneven and draining. While media is central to many cases, Australia lacks the safe reporting guidelines that exist for mental health and suicide. To address this, a five-hour focus group was held with family members of long-term missing loved ones, facilitated by an academic researcher and a lived-experience advocate.

Five Key Themes

The research highlighted several complexities families face when engaging with the media:

1. The ‘Perfect Victim’ narrative – Media interest often hinges on whether a missing loved one fits a specific stereotype. Factors like ethnicity or mental health history can unfortunately dictate coverage levels.

2. Maintaining the story – Initial interest drops off quickly. To keep a case ‘newsworthy’, families often feel forced into sensational storylines to ensure their loved one is not forgotten.

3. The emotional toll – Speaking up often comes at the cost of privacy. Reliving trauma through interviews with insensitive journalists can be incredibly exhausting.

4. Feeling unprepared – Many families felt unprotected during high-stakes interactions, reporting instances of being “gotcha’d” or dealing with distressing factual errors.

5. Loss of control – Families often have little say in how the story of their missing loved one is told. Between police strategy and social media, the burden of advocacy is a heavy weight to carry.

A Way Forward

The findings from this study provide a foundation for national change. By centring lived experience, there is now a clear path toward:

National reporting guidelines – Creating ethical standards that support both journalists and families.

Trauma-informed practice – Encouraging media professionals to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with families.

Greater representation – Ensuring every missing loved one is given a voice, regardless of the ‘newsworthiness’ of their background.