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.

Self-Study Unit 2: Covering Terrorism

Sources and Resources

By Elana Newman and Chris Bull

Sources and resources for Self-Study Unit 2: Covering Terrorism

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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Self-Study Unit 1: Journalism & Trauma

Sources and Resources

Sources and resources for the trauma and journalism self-study unit.

Breaking Bad News

I. Key Points

The moment when someone is notified of the death of a close family member can be the most important in their lives.

Self-Study Unit 1: Journalism & Trauma

VI. Best Practices

Each year the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma recognizes outstanding newspaper coverage of victims and their experiences with the The Dart Award for Excellence in Reporting on Victims of Violence.

Psychology/Psychiatry

A list of academic publications with a primary focus on psychiatry and psychology.

Breaking Bad News

VI. Practical Details

Ask the family if there is anyone else they want to contact, or to be with them there now, and how your organisation might help.

Self-Study Unit 1: Journalism & Trauma

The skills needed to interact with people under such stressful and unpredictable conditions do not usually come naturally. The goal of this module is to explain what traumatic stress is and why it is useful for journalists to know about its effects.