Trauma Journalism Awareness

Trauma journalism defines the professional work of journalists who cover not just combat, but crime and catastrophe.

The Trust for Trauma Journalism aims to sustain global initiatives that prepare media professionals for the physical and emotional impacts of covering traumatic events and for how to interact with people who have suffered trauma.

The Cost of Coverage

To accurately report local or global events, journalists often risk physical and emotional injury from the violence, conflict, and tragedy they cover. Just like other first responders journalists are likely to personally experience the traumatic events that happen in their hometown or in the world around them when reporting on mass shootings, crime and violence, political discord, devastating storms and wildfires.

Journalists face the risk of injury — both physical and emotional — due to the violence, conflict, and tragedy they encounter while reporting. In the same way, the military, law enforcement, and first responders often face dangerous encounters. Trauma journalists must perform ethically and expertly under stress while maintaining physical and emotional health.

Now, more than ever, trauma journalists need support.

Journalist organizations worldwide are dedicated to assisting trauma journalists and their work. Some provide training for journalists to work in threatening or combat environments; support journalists and their families when physically threatened; provide mental health resources for anxiety and traumatic stress; research on the physical and emotional effects of trauma; and improve interviewing techniques when reporting on trauma.