Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Children and Media Coverage of Trauma

By Christina Cantrell and Elana Newman

An overview of current research on the short- and long-term impacts of media coverage of tragedy on children, as well as aggravating risk factors and suggestions for future research.

Covering Trauma: Impact on Journalists

By River Smith and Elana Newman

An overview of current research on the occupational hazards for journalists covering traumatic events, the risk factors that aggravate those effects and some suggestions for mitigating those factors.

Covering Children & Trauma

II. Confidentiality

By Ruth Teichroeb

The biggest hurdle when covering tragedies involving children is getting access to information. Stricter confidentiality laws govern everything from their school and hospital records to court and child-welfare files.

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General Communication

A list of journals that publish research related to trauma and journalism.

Self-Study Unit 4: The First 24 Hours

V. Coping Strategies for Families

Journalists should also be aware of acute stress disorder during this time period and beyond.

Tragedies & Journalists

I. Interviewing

By Joe Hight and Frank Smyth

Always treat victims with dignity and respect - the way you want to be treated in a similar situation. Journalists will always seek to approach survivors, but reporters should do it with sensitivity, including knowing when and how to back off.

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PTSD 101

Interviewing

By Frank Ochberg

Self-Study Unit 3: Photography & Trauma

I. The History of Photojournalism

When specific photographs become symbolic of a particular event, triggering the public's memory (and related feelings and emotions) about that period in time, we can refer to them as enduring historical icons.

Self-Study Unit 2: Covering Terrorism

I. What is Terrorism?

Sept. 11, 2001, was a particularly diabolical instance of terrorism. But there are many forms of terror. Some are so much a part of our ordinary lives that we hardly recognize them as such.

Self-Study Unit 1: Journalism & Trauma

III. Why Traumatic Stress?

Many journalists who cover "hard news" will come into contact with people who have experienced a traumatic event. At the scene of a fatal car collision, for example, or a neighborhood shooting, or an apartment fire, there are likely to be people present who are suffering from traumatic stress. These same people may also be important sources of news for their community — people who, despite their pain, can help tell the story of a tragedy as it is unfolding.