Belgium has raised its threat status to the maximum level after at least 31 people were killed in terrorist attacks across Brussels on Tuesday. On Sunday, at least 69 people were killed and around 300 were wounded in an apparent suicide blast in a park in Lahore, Pakistan. Below are tip sheets and other resources for journalists covering these evolving stories.
Journalists Alex Hannaford, Jess Hurd, Jason Parkinson and Raniah Salloum spoke with the Dart Center about the reporting challenges in covering stories of migration and refugees, and clinical psychologist Katy Robjant shared techniques for interviewing victims of trauma, as well as self-care tips for those covering the on-going crisis.
The feature film "Spotlight" is based on the stories and reporters behind The Boston Globe's investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In advance of the Academy Awards this weekend, we revisit an interview with the Globe's Spotlight team about approaching and speaking with survivors of abuse, maintaining privacy during a national investigation and taking care of themselves during a difficult story.
Cait McMahon, managing director of Dart Centre Asia Pacific, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia today for her pioneering leadership on behalf of journalists at risk of post-traumatic stress and other psychological injury. Awarded by Australia’s Governor General, the Order of Australia is the preeminent means by which the nation recognizes outstanding service by its citizens. McMahon received the honor for “services to community health, particularly traumatic stress services to journalists.”
Poet, essayist and critic Elizabeth Alexander spoke with the Dart Center's Bruce Shapiro about her best-selling memoir, which recalls the life and sudden death of her husband Ficre Ghebreyesus. Today, The Light of the World was nominated for a National Books Critics Circle Award.
On August 26, 2015, Alison Parker, a television reporter for WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia, and Adam Ward, Parker’s videographer, were shot and killed on camera by a former colleague. Now Chris Hurst, the evening news anchor for WDBJ and Parker’s boyfriend at the time of her death, asks how American newsrooms could cover gun violence differently.
Last Spring the Dart Center organized a two-day workshop to improve journalists' knowledge of guns and gun violence, explore new research, reporting ideas and best practices with leading experts in public health, policy, medicine and the law. In the aftermath of the San Bernardino and Colorado Springs shootings, these resources may be useful.
For the past two years, Australia's Royal Commission has been investigating how institutions like schools, churches, sports clubs and government organisations have responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse. Dart Centre Asia Pacific Board Chair Matthew Ricketson reflects on a public hearing he attended in Melbourne to support a friend who had been abused by a school chaplain.
France has declared a national state of emergency and closed its borders after more than 100 people were killed in shooting and bombing attacks across Paris on Friday. Below are tip sheets and other resources for journalists covering this evolving story.
Yamiche Alcindor, Donna DeCesare, Danny Spriggs and Bruce Shapiro discussed practical tactics for assessing risk and and staying safe while reporting. They shared lessons from covering protests, youth gangs, earthquakes and toxic environmental sites among others.