Disaster and Crisis Coverage - International News Safety Institute

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Journalism and trauma Introduction Covering tragedy and human suffering is at the heart of what journalists do. In Latin America over the past 12 months, media rushed to the scene of riots after a military coup in Honduras; escalating drug wars and assassinations made headlines in Mexico; mudslides and floods dominated the news in Nicaragua, Guatemala and other countries in the region as thousands fled for their lives. International Center for Journalists 38
Disaster and Crisis Coverage Taking on a watchdog role to report the news can be difficult but rewarding. There also can be a personal price to pay, especially when traumatic events are part of the equation. This chapter addresses two important issues: ✦ ✦ How journalists interact with victims, survivors and eyewitnesses of tragedy How they cope with the emotional impact of trauma on their own psyches Dr. Frank Ochberg, a pioneer in the study of journalism and trauma, believes understanding basic concepts of traumatic stress can help journalists do a better job of covering crisis and help us take better care of ourselves. The media’s role becomes even more important when disaster strikes. “The way journalists cover these events can have a profound effect on how a community reacts in the aftermath of a tragedy,” says Dr. Ochberg, chairman emeritus and founder of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. He stresses that during times of extreme shock, trauma and tragedy, it is important that peoples’ thoughts, feelings and behavior be reported accurately. That kind of precise newsgathering helps the public digest what is happening and provides a framework for how they can begin dealing with it. This chapter draws on material from the Dart Center and other media organizations that have made journalism and trauma part of their agenda. It was not designed to be a definitive guide, but rather to introduce important concepts and to make the case for journalists to take trauma seriously. 39
Page 1 and 2: Disaster and Crisis Coverage By Deb
Page 3 and 4: About the Authors Deborah Potter De
Page 5 and 6: About the International Center for
Page 7 and 8: Disaster and Crisis Coverage 4 Natu
Page 9 and 10: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Recogn
Page 11 and 12: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Also,
Page 13 and 14: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Organi
Page 15 and 16: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Prepar
Page 18 and 19: vulnerable to longer-term droughts,
Page 20 and 21: Newsroom start-up guide It’s amaz
Page 22 and 23: Newsroom back-up planning When a di
Page 24 and 25: Personal preparation A crisis, by d
Page 26 and 27: a hurricane, journalists should ens
Page 28 and 29: Information gathering Who will work
Page 30 and 31: Reporting a crisis Stay calm. Be cl
Page 32 and 33: ✦ Intelligence/national response:
Page 34 and 35: www.journalistsatrisk.org/safety_ti
Page 36 and 37: set up a blog “to preserve the st
Page 40 and 41: What is traumatic stress? A terribl
Page 42 and 43: ✦ Irritability ✦ Sleeplessness
Page 44 and 45: According to the American Psychiatr
Page 46 and 47: Tips for Dealing with Victims and S
Page 48 and 49: ✦ Respect the person’s efforts
Page 50 and 51: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Do
Page 52 and 53: Coaching through crisis News manage
Page 54 and 55: Case Study: Editor reaches out Afte
Page 56 and 57: ✦ If distress continues past thre
Page 58 and 59: Notes International Center for Jour
Page 60: 1616 H Street, 3rd Floor Washington

Disaster and Crisis Coverage - International News Safety Institute

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