In Aftermath of Sydney Siege, Resources for Journalists

An Iranian-born gunman seized 17 hostages in a cafe in the heart of Australia's largest city Monday morning. The deadly siege ended 16 hours later with a barrage of gunfire that left two hostages and the gunman dead, four wounded, and a nation that has long prided itself on peace under pressure to explain why the shooter dropped from a government security watchlist.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that the 50-year-old gunman was on a terror watchlist untll 2009, and held a permit to own a firearm in Australia. Despite the gunman's claims, evidence does not suggest that he was a member of an organized terrorist group.

The Dart Center has a tips and resources for journalists  covering tragedy on this scale:

• A 40-page guide to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.
• A self-study unit on covering terrorism.
• Quick tips on working with victims and survivors from Dart Centre Asia Pacific.
• Quick tips on how to support your reporters.
• Quick tips on self-care from Dart Centre Asia Pacific.
• Self-care advice from an editor who has been there.
• Tips for managers and editors on working with reporters exposed to traumatic events.
• For those who read German, Gisela Mayer, the mother of victim of the school shooting in Winnenden, describes her family's experience of finding itself subject to media attention.