After some comments on social media, I’ve realized it’s time to help our readers understand a few things about how this business of print journalism works, especially when it comes to social media and breaking news.

This is not to say constructive criticism is not welcome, it is. Anything that makes us better is always welcome, even though criticism can be hard to take. If it helps, we’ll take it.

But I’m the one who does a lot of the breaking news live feeds, and I am aware sometimes our followers are frustrated because the information changes as the story develops. But that is the nature of breaking news — it is evolving.

And some folks will post information they have before I have it from official sources, either because they think I don’t know, or because they want to be the town crier and say it first, be the first to “break the news.”

But there is a process here that I’m hoping you can understand, and respect.

When I start to cover a story, I’m often learning about it at the same time as first responders, and sometimes the way a call comes in is not what ends up being what actually happens. But I’m trying to let you in on what is happening as I’m discovering it. Trying to bring you along with me as the story unfolds.

And that is exactly what it is doing — unfolding. So the information will change. You will notice I’ll post the words “update” with new information as it changes.

And I know it’s exciting and feels important to be the one to say “this isn’t a car crash, it’s a shooting and two people are dead,” but I’ll let you in on something.

If I have not yet said anyone is dead, it’s because I have not yet gotten permission from police to say that, because family has not yet been notified.

But when someone puts that on the post, and family sees it and puts two and two together, they blame the media for telling them, ahead of police, that a family member has died. When in truth, I’m doing what I should do, being respectful and giving things proper time.

When I do say someone has died, but I don’t give a name out, that is not the time to start saying all you know about that person, because once again, identity has not been released, and you are giving information that identifies them.

I get that it’s exciting to be the first, and I get it can be frustrating to know something is happening but have to wait for updates. But I’m asking you to take a breath and just come along with me, in the time that it needs to take. Please don’t get ahead of the officials and the experts, who are working an investigation and trying to do the right thing by family members. Give them time to do their job right, and by the same token, me.

And please remember that you may know things from neighbors, friends, relatives or from being at the scene, but unless I have it from an official source, I cannot publish it because I don’t have verification the information is correct, and if it’s wrong, it can be tremendously damaging.

I also want to make it clear I’m not a television reporter. It’s not me you are there to see or hear, but the scene. I do my best to put a description of where I am or what is happening at the top of the feed (though once in a while a video will split into two separate pieces, and I don’t realize it til afterward, so the second video may not have a post at the top until I realize it). I am there to let you see what I see only. I don’t offer commentary because in most cases, I don’t yet know much, but by the time my story comes out, I will, and I hope you’ll read it.

I love doing live streams, and letting residents of Rowan County and family and others near and far get an inside look at things as they are happening. And most of the time, I let the critics do what they need to do. But the comments from those who get ahead of the official information, well, I’m asking you to stop and consider before you post. I ask you to think about how you would feel reading it if it were your family member who died.

I won’t hide things from you. I will get the information and I will give it to you. But I will do it in the proper time, so no one has to suffer unnecessarily.

I always remember that those in my stories are people, just like me, with families and people who love them, and I need to be mindful of the feelings of those folks as much as the story. I’m asking you to do the same. This isn’t me saying you can’t offer critiques or suggestions, as noted above, you sure can. There is always room for improvement, for all of us, including me.

This part is not about me, it’s about being at least kind to someone who is suffering something unimaginable.

A little grace goes a long way.

Elisabeth Strillacci covers crime, courts, Spencer, East Spencer and Kannapolis for the Salisbury Post.