Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Tragedies & Journalists

By Joe Hight and Frank Smyth

A 40-page guide to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.

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Preparing Journalists for Emotions

By Kenna Griffin

A journalism educator tells the personal story of why she works to prepare journalists for the unique challenges of covering traumatic events.

10 Years Later: Reflecting in Oklahoma

By Joe Hight

Another early morning. Another day of getting ready for work. Another radio news show blasting loudly in the house.

Unraveling Media and Trauma Connections

Researcher Stresses Importance of Scientific Approach

By Meg Spratt

An interview by Meg Spratt with Betty Pfefferbaum, a research psychiatrist and professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. 

Facing the Graphic Truth

By Penny Cockerell

Years ago when I spent time in Panama, rarely did a day go by when the morning paper didn’t carry the full-color, front-page bloodied remains of some poor guy killed the night before. It was hardly breakfast material, but apparently the photos didn’t disturb the reading public enough to make the paper stop publishing them.

Five Steps to Covering a Disaster Effectively

By Joe Hight

Hight, managing editor of The Oklahoman, runs down how a newsroom can prepare to cover unexpected disasters.

Oklahoma City Bombing

By Lisa Beckloff and John Perry

Winner of a Dart Award for its extensive coverage of the aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, coverage that helped readers connect to the lives of individual victims, survivors and families. Originally published in The Daily Oklahoman between April and November, 1995.