Mark H. Massé

Studies have indicated that photographers are more susceptible than other correspondents not only to physical harm but also to the negative emotional impact of war coverage because of their proximity to danger and the reprocessing of troubling images during editing. One explanation: To capture their subjects in harrowing situations, photographers have to focus on getting “the shot” and not on the human instinct to assist people in danger. However, veteran photojournalist Steve Connors says he observed more reporters than photographers upset by what they witnessed in battle. The former British soldier theorizes that the reflection and writing stages required of reporters may be more troubling than what photographers encounter in their work. Read More 

Wall Street Journal reporter Amy Dockser Marcus, who spent seven years as a correspondent covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, says medical stories can be as stressful, tragic and brutal as the longest war. In 2004, she embarked on a yearlong project, immersed in the lives of cancer patients and their families. Her nine-part series won the Pulitzer Prize. “I think reporting about fatal illnesses is often overlooked in the typical definitions of trauma,” she says, noting how as a journalist “you embark on profound relationships with people that can last years.” Read More 

College media advisers Kelly Furnas at Virginia Tech University (2007) and Jim Killam (2008) at Northern Illinois University were praised for guiding their student newspaper teams through extreme crises when horrific violence struck their campuses. Each adviser kept his journalists focused on their mission of providing the “extended” community of readers with accurate, timely and sensitive news coverage. But Furnas and Killam were also responsible for the safety, health, and welfare of dozens of student reporters, editors, photographers, designers and support personnel. Read More 

On Oct. 21, 22, the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, Columbia Univ., NYC, is staging workshops for journalists on domestic violence issues. (http://dartcenter.org/content/out-shadows-reporting-on-intimate-partner-violence) Daily Herald (Everett, Wash.) asst. city editor Scott North advocates compassionate approaches to reporting (local) violent, tragic stories. He works closely with community reps. and uses rotating team coverage and debriefings to alleviate stress, burnout among his staff. Read More 

CNN news crews were fired upon this week during ongoing fighting in Libya. Although war correspondents have long been at risk, the intentional targeting of journalists intensified in the late 20th century in Bosnia and Africa. Numerous deaths and injuries of reporters and photographers led to reforms such as mandatory body armor and hostile-environment training.

Australian psychologist Cait McMahon has researched the resultant post-traumatic growth that may occur when reporters are exposed to conflict and crises. McMahon refers to “positive outcomes of trauma exposure that result in dramatic enhancement of the individual.” This enhanced perspective toward self or others is an outcome of journalists sharing their trying experiences with supportive colleagues. Read More 

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.