How can we improve reporting on trauma and disaster?
NEW ONLINE TOOLKIT OFFERS BEST PRACTICES FOR NEWSROOMS, J-SCHOOLS
We’ve all made mistakes as journalists. Here are a few of mine.
I’ll never forget the day I knocked on the door of a woman who’d recently been attacked by a serial killer. Thinking I’d stumbled on a dramatic scoop, I raced to interview her and put this survivor on the radio news without first thinking about the impact on her, let alone the community.
My ‘scoop’ only compounded her misery.
Much later, when her attacker was convicted, I immersed myself so deeply in reporting on the court case that I suffered terrible PTSD from exposure to the horrific images and details of his murderous crimes.
How I wish I’d known better. Nothing in my j-school training nor newsroom protocols had adequately prepared me for either of those scenarios (something I’ve written about previously.)
We as an industry have too often failed to think critically about how best to tell stories of people who’ve suffered trauma and how to protect ourselves as we bear witness.
But from mistakes and failures come valuable lessons.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of TraumaAwareJournalism.org, a new online library of videos, tip sheets, and study guides to help expand the conversation and to share best practices with newsrooms, journalism schools and the entire news industry.
Phase One of Trauma Aware Journalism: A News Industry Toolkit offers practical lessons on trauma interviewing, ethics, setting boundaries, taking care of yourself, planning for trauma coverage, leadership, traumatic imagery, working with children and vulnerable sources. Additional topics are coming soon.
Core to this new project is the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma which has been a global leader in the study and exploration of ethical reporting on trauma for 25 years. I had the privilege of becoming a Fellow of the Dart Center two years ago and marvel at the smarts, the research and the commitment to better journalism.
As a veteran investigative journalist I am grateful to my employer CBC News (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), the team at the Dart Center which embraced the idea of this video series, as well as our partners at the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma who’ve been stalwart supporters of the project.
Together we sought out top journalists and trauma experts, gathered their advice and best practices, and now hope to share their wisdom widely.
We’re doing a whole promotional launch this week, including an in-person event at the Canadian Association of Journalists annual conference in Toronto.
Please check out TraumaAwareJournalism.org, and share it with your people.
As for my mistakes mentioned off the top, I am happy to report that I did follow up with that victim, apologized and pointed her toward professional help.
After considerable time, we became friends of a sort, and she entrusted me to tell her story in detail – when she was ready – in a better, healthier, healing way.
