Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Covering Two Catastrophes

Resources for Journalists

For those reporting on the natural disasters in China and Myanmar, the Dart Center has assembled tip sheets, advice and reflection from journalists on past catastrophes and other resources of relevance.

Covering the Tsunami

Six Journalists Recall Their Time in the Tsunami Zone

By Anupama Narayanswamy

In 2005, for her master’s project about journalists who cover disaster, Anupama Narayanswamy interviewed a number of journalists who covered the aftermath of the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami. Here are some of their stories.

A Call for Emotional Literacy

A Report From the Hannover Trauma & Journalism Conference

By Maria Benning

Journalists, editors and trauma specialists meeting for Germany’s first-ever conference on trauma and journalism have called for the universal training of journalists in the skills of emotional literacy and trauma awareness.

Trauma und Journalismus—Eine Emotionale Alphabetisierung tut Not

By Maria Benning

Trauma ist griechisch und heißt Wunde. Trauma und Journalismus – ein Thema für verwundete Journalisten also? Für Dünnhäutige und"Weicheier", die den harten Anforderungen der Medienbranche am Ende doch nicht so ganz gewachsen sind? Irrtum. Traumatisiert werden kann jeder. Das ist inzwischen wissenschaftlich nachgewiesen. Ein schreckliches Ereignis kann Berufsanfänger aus der Bahn werfen, aber auch alte Hasen mit 30 Jahren Erfahrung. Der seinem Image nach abgebrühte Kriegsreporter gehört ebenso zur Risikogruppe wie der Lokaljournalist, dessen kleine Welt heil sein soll - und es nicht ist.

Covering the Tsunami

Six Journalists Recall Their Time in the Tsunami Zone

By Anupama Narayanswamy

Reflection and advice from six international reporters who reported on the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami (Yulia Supadmo, Indonesia; Mehul Srivastava, USA; Shahanaaz Habib, Malaysia; Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh; Pia Sarkar, USA; Mona Khanna, USA)

The Emotional Toll of Disaster Reporting

By Kimina Lyall

Nine years ago, soon after I joined The Australian, I was sent to Port Arthur to cover the massacre of 35 people by gunman Martin Bryant.

The Tsunami: Covering Act II

By Joe Hight

The tsunami that wreaked utmost tragedy on parts of southern Asia has become one of the most overwhelming stories in the history of journalism. The scale of death and destruction has shocked even those who had covered man-made and natural disasters before Dec. 26.

Helping Tsunami-Affected Journalists

Several organizations have been soliciting and organizing aid for journalists affected by the South Asian tsunami.

Unraveling Media and Trauma Connections

By Meg Spratt

Betty Pfefferbaum, winner of the first ISTSS Frank Ochberg Award for Research in Trauma and the Media, discusses what journalists can learn from her research.

Natural Disaster and Mental Health Issues

By Alexander McFarlane

Guidance from an experienced psychiatrist on mental health issues and how they evolve in regions devastated by natural disasters.

Advice From One Who's Been There

By Trina McLellan

For a reminder of what it can be like to work in an area of total devastation after a tsunami, the Dart Centre's Trina McLellan spoke to Patrick Hamilton, an award-winning photographer with national newspaper The Australian.

Tsunami Relief/Reporter Grief

The word "indescribable" is one of those clichés often used by people too lazy to really describe what they're seeing. But for the first time in my professional career, I found a place where indescribable was actually the most accurate description.

Journalism and the Tsunami

"This Was a Tough One"

By Jesse Tarbert

CNN NewsNight anchor Aaron Brown describes his approach to covering a story that “was beyond anything you could describe."

Covering the Tsunami

A Frontline Club Discussion

In recent years, journalists have become more aware of the emotional aspects of the stories they cover, particularly in the aftermath of tragedy. Nowadays, says David Loyn, the BBC's developing world correspondent, "We get alongside people; we have sympathy with them; we empathise with them." A Frontline Club discussion.