Sofia Talks Media: Resilience in Times of Crisis

From wars and global health emergencies to climate change disasters, refugee crises and the erosion of democracy, our world is filled with distressing events. Such cataclysms leave lasting marks on people, communities, and even entire nations and seem to dominate breaking news.

How does trauma impact the way we see the world and those around us? How do journalists of all beats cope with reporting on a seemingly never-ending downward spiral? How does the negativity bias affect audiences? What are the underlying mechanisms of psychological stress and trauma and why should journalists know about them?

Sofia Talks Media: Resilience in Times of Crisis is dedicating this year’s conference in autumn 2024 to trauma-informed journalism and all aspects that come with this increasingly important topic for media professionals.

The media industry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Digital publishing has amplified a multitude of voices as well as distrust and online harassment while the Covid pandemic increased feelings of pessimism, stress and burn-outs in newsrooms. At the same time regional tensions as well as wars in the Ukraine and the Middle East are putting pressure on journalists and newsrooms. While research conducted by the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma shows that the majority of journalists exhibit resilience, it is also true that at least 80 percent have been exposed to a work-related traumatic event.

Sofia Talks Media: Resilience in Times of Crisis aims to support journalists against the wider backdrop of increasing unrest, backlash and uncertainty. The conference will bring together editors, journalists, psychologists, and trauma experts to highlight how knowledge of trauma can help tell more nuanced stories about violence and conflict.

The conference, which includes talks and discussions, will take place on October 29-30, 2024 in Sofia.

Through a variety of panels, practical workshops, and in-depth roundtables, experts and practitioners will explore the importance of working ethically and responsibly with individuals and communities that journalists report on. The programme is designed to build skills of individual journalists, leadership and across newsrooms to ensure stronger reporting and a more vibrant and resilient media landscape.