Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

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.

Mental/Physical Health

A list of academic publications that deal with a wide range of mental and physical health issues.

Breaking Bad News

II. How to Prepare Yourself

Try beforehand to find out, as far as possible:

• The location of the body, or the injured colleague, and whether next-of-kin are going to be able to visit (many bereaved wish to do so);
• Exactly what happened (as far as is known at this point), the circumstances, where they were, what they were doing, the details of their death or injury, the condition of the body.
• Experience suggests that bereaved family members often want to know this information in considerable — and accurate and honest — detail. Be prepared to help them find out everything they need to know.

Self-Study Unit 3: Photography & Trauma

Photojournalists are part of the team of first responders whenever a tragedy occurs. They are there to document the news event in pictures and their work can have a strong and lasting impact on the public consciousness and themselves.

Tragedies & Journalists

V. The Visual Side

By Joe Hight and Frank Smyth

Understand that you may be the first to arrive at any scene. You may face dangerous situations and harsh reactions from law enforcement and the public. Stay calm and focused throughout. Be aware that a camera cannot prevent you from being injured. Do not hesitate to leave a scene if it becomes too dangerous. Any supervisor or editor should understand that a person's life is more important than a photo.

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Self-Study Unit 4: The First 24 Hours

II. The People

The people involved in a major traumatic event are connected in a web of social and governmental relations. At the scene of the event, there will be victims, friends and family of victims who have come to the scene, and curious by-standers - some of them valuable witnesses, others eager for media exposure but with little substantive information to offer.

PTSD 101

Other Responses

By Frank Ochberg

There are psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and ASD that follow traumatic events. Most commonly, the diagnosis is an Adjustment Disorder.

Self-Study Unit 2: Covering Terrorism

VII. Preparation

By Elana Newman and Chris Bull

For the first time, many media companies have begun systematically to plan for emergency coverage of traumatic events.

Self-Study Unit 1: Journalism & Trauma

Conclusion

By now, having completed this module, you should know what traumatic stress is; what PTSD, ASD and secondary traumatic stress effects are; what the effects of traumatic stress are; why it is important for journalists to know about these effects; how to interview people who have experienced a traumatic event; how journalists can deal with a stressful work life; and where to get more information for continued learning.

News Media and Trauma

This documentary, available online and on DVD, features a wide range of Australian journalists their recounting experiences covering traumatic stories.

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