Black and Missing Foundation and Washington Association of Black Journalists Release Groundbreaking Media Guide for Reporting on Missing Persons

(Hyattsville, MD) – The Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI), in partnership with the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), today announced the release of The Media Guide for Reporting on Missing Persons, a comprehensive resource designed to address long-standing disparities in media coverage of missing persons cases, especially those involving people of color.

The media guide is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort by a dedicated task force made up of media professionals nationwide. It provides actionable recommendations for newsrooms to ensure fair, consistent, and equitable reporting practices to incorporate in their coverage of missing people.

“After polling many newsrooms across the country, we discovered that none had formal policies or procedures for reporting on missing persons cases, which has contributed to a lack of coverage for certain communities. That’s why this guide is so critical—to ensure that media coverage of missing persons is fair and consistent and ensures that missing persons cases receive the attention they deserve,” said Natalie Wilson, co-founder of BAMFI. “Significant strides have been made in the push toward equitable coverage, but there is still much more work ahead.”

According to the FBI, more than 550,000 people went missing in 2023, and persons of color made up nearly 40% of missing persons cases. With this guide, newsrooms can refine their reporting approaches to ensure that no missing person is forgotten and that no case is overlooked by local law enforcement.

“Media coverage can be the critical link in generating leads and putting pressure on law enforcement to resolve cases quickly,” said Derrica Wilson, co-founder of BAMFI. “Every second counts when someone goes missing, and this guide helps ensure those cases are treated with the urgency they deserve.”

“The Washington Association of Black Journalists is proud to partner with the Black and Missing Foundation to launch our comprehensive media guide for reporting on missing persons cases,” said Phil Lewis, President of WABJ. “For too long, newsrooms across the country have overlooked the stories of missing persons of color. We hope that this media guide will help empower journalists and newsroom leaders to cover these stories accurately and appropriately.”

The guide provides recommendations on removing unintentional bias, establishing consistent coverage across outlets, and ensuring equal attention to missing persons of color, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. It will be accompanied by a national publicity campaign to raise awareness and encourage adoption by reporters and newsrooms on a local and national level.

Members of the media, educators, and the public are encouraged to take action:

About the Black and Missing Foundation, Inc.
The Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to missing persons of color, supporting their families, and advocating for equity in media coverage and law enforcement response.

About the Washington Association of Black Journalists
The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is a professional organization committed to advancing Black journalists through advocacy, mentorship, and professional development.

CONTACTS

Black and Missing Foundation, Inc
Natalie Wilson
Email: pr@bamfi.org

Washington Association of Black Journalists
Philip Lewis
Email: president@wabjdc.org

Photo credit: Black and Missing Foundation and Washington Association of Black Journalists

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