Mark H. Massé

The Sept. 19. 2011, New Yorker features an in-depth article by Dexter Filkins on the murder of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad, who had exposed "links between Islamist militants" and Pakistan's military after the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy Seals. Shahzad was beaten to death and his body dumped in a rural canal. Investigative reporters worldwide are killed for their exposes. Read More 

Journalists are often first responders, arriving at crises before law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or military personnel. An international news media reform movement is addressing the effects of trauma coverage on victims, sources, and on the journalists who report these stories. The economic climate currently affecting newsrooms worldwide has heightened the impact of related issues, such as stress, staff-management tension, and career burnout. Read More 

When interviewing servicemen and women, experts recommend journalists take extra time establishing a level of trust. Listening skills are especially important for reporters on military stories. A good interview should be a conversation not an interrogation.

Outdated attitudes still exist in some newsrooms, where insensitive editors warn reporters to keep emotions in check even after covering tragedies. Such rigid thinking is counter productive and contributes to mistrust and negative attitudes among staff. A progressive approach to trauma journalism requires empathy and open communication.

On Friday, September 9 journalists covering a riot at the Israeli embassy in Cairo (Egypt) were attacked by a mob. Though no life-threatening injuries were reported, the targeting of news media is common in conflict zones. Such violence peaked during the Iraq War when scores of international reporters were assaulted, kidnapped and murdered.

Even experienced reporters in N.Y. and Washington, D.C., were shocked by events of 9/11 and uncertain how to respond to victims and their loved ones. Some spoke of being overwhelmed by their emotions during interviews. Others were concerned about exploiting the tragic situation. The trauma of 9/11 made recovery difficult for journalists and interaction with family and friends problematic. Read More 

When newsrooms are covering difficult and emotional trying stories, editors can offer support via email outreach as well as personal contact. In the days following 9/11, Henry Freeman, editor, The Journal News, used self-disclosure to connect with his staff, sending out e-mails in which he talked about his own emotions and the impact of the tragedy on the metro N.Y. community. He urged reporters to treat victims’ families with dignity and to take care of themselves. Read More 

Internationally, more journalists are murdered in retaliation for their investigative stories than are killed in war or conflict scenarios. Mexico is now one of the world's most dangerous countries for reporters due to drug-related violence. Criminals and repressive regimes target journalists to block news coverage.

Anniversaries of tragic events trigger emotional and often traumatic responses of people and entire communities. News media should take care to ensure that commemorative coverage doesn't cause undo harm. Stories should focus on updates and recovery and not on recalling negative "old" news.

When interviewing victims, journalists are susceptible to secondary trauma effects, similar to transference in therapeutic encounters. Former Dart Center president Joe Hight refers to a "wall of grief" that may face reporters covering tragedies: http://dartcenter.org/content/wall-effect-in-covering-victims