Resources for those covering the explosion in Donegal, Ireland
On October 7, ten people were killed in an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal, Ireland.
The Dart Center has gathered a selection of resources to support journalists as they cover the tragedy and its aftermath.
Interviewing and Reporting
In this guide journalists, researchers and mental health professionals offer advice on how to working with victims and survivors of traumatic events.
"Best Practices in Trauma Reporting" was drawn from a decade of Dart Award-winning stories.
The Dart Centre Style Guide is designed as a quick, authoritative reference for reporters, editors and producers working on tight deadlines. It includes brief evidence-informed guidance on news choices, language usage and ethics in reporting on the impact of trauma on individuals, families and communities; recommendations for appropriate use of relevant psychological and scientific terminology; and special considerations when reporting on consequential trauma-laden issues.
There is no infallible method for interviewing survivors and witnesses to trauma. Each case is unique and presents its own challenges. But this tip sheet brings together the collective experience of the Dart Centre Asia Pacific’s principal trainers to provide some general advice for interviewing in the aftermath of trauma, and recommendations for before, during, and after the interview.
Mexican journalist Marcela Turati has reported on different types of violence for 12 years. These tips are drawn from her workshop How to Cover Pain, and can be used as a roadmap to conduct a humane, sensitive, and respectful interview.
Newsrooms will be working through trauma-related imagery. Best practice on the safe handling of such material can be found here in the form of a short introduction and a full manual.
Covering Children
The Dart Center's quick tips for interviewing children, and a more comprehensive guide, "Covering Children and Trauma."
In this tip sheet, Kate Porterfield, consulting clinical psychologist at the Bellevue Hospital Program for Survivors of Torture in New York City, explains how to minimize harm when working with a traumatized child.
Self-care
This self-directed course on Poynter will teach you how traumatic stress affects victims, how to interview trauma victims with compassion and respect, and how to take care of your own health after covering a traumatic event.
From Black Lives Matter to #MeToo, many reporters feel emotional distress covering the violence and abuse their communities face. Here are expert tips on how to navigate that stress.
A guide for journalists seeking therapy for personal or work-related issues.
The Journalist Trauma Support Network is a pilot program training therapists to help journalists.
Advice for Managers and Editors
A collaboration between ACOS Alliance and Dart Centre Asia Pacific, this guide is designed to help editors and managers understand and support their teams. It is divided into five sections covering both general information and specific suggestions and tips for working with freelancers.
These tips for managers and editors help them prepare and support reporters in the field.
This Trauma and Journalism handbook distills the expertise of international trauma experts.
This six-part podcast series from the International Journalists’ Network features interviews with reporters and mental health experts.
Resources for survivors and their loved ones
This resource from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center offers media guidelines for homicide family survivors
These resources from the National Traumatic Child Stress network focus on school shootings
This guide focuses on restoring a sense of safety after a school shooting
The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, multi-lingual hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress.
