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Across the United States, there are over 2,500 men and women currently on death row, with four prisoners scheduled to die by lethal injection later this month.

Although 30 of the country’s 50 states allow capital punishment, Texas alone makes up more than a third of all executions since it was reinstated in the US in 1976. Doubtless to say, this is a difficult topic for journalists to report on.

Here to help is Michael Graczyk, who spent 35 years with the Associated Press reporting on executions in Texas, who sat down for interview with Denise-Marie Ordway, of Journalist's Resource.

Drawing on his experience, he offered some advice for journalists reporting on death row. Among his tips is avoid using of the word 'closure' and instead rephrase any questions to attending families.

"I usually ask them, ‘Why did you decide to be here?’ and ‘Are you disappointed this has taken so long?’" he said. "I’ve talked to enough people to understand there is no such thing as closure. I think it’s an inadequate question."

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