**Breaking the Stigma in Breaking News: Trauma in Journalism **
Occupation can significantly increase the likelihood of encountering a traumatic event. Work related trauma exposures are often associated with jobs like police officers, military personnel, fire fighters, health care workers, emergency services, and prison employees (Lee et al., 2020). However, communities like journalists and reporters often witness trauma as well (Skogstad et al., 2013). Journalists are on the frontlines witnessing human suffering, yet, few journalists identify their jobs as a source of distress. This is why trauma informed care is important for reporters and journalists.
Vicarious Trauma in Reporters and Journalists
In one study with a population of reporters, about half of the participants disclosed reporting from the scene of a traumatic event or interviewing someone in current distress who was impacted from the trauma within the last year. These traumas ranged from covering stories on injured or dead children, mass casualties, war zones, or murder. Some of these participants disclosed their exposure to these events as frequently as monthly or more (Browne et al., 2012). Vicarious trauma (VT) is a common experience for journalists.
The World Health Organization (2013) explains that VT is associated with the experience of distress that occurs due to empathy toward those who have experienced trauma. Words like compassion fatigue or secondary trauma are often interchanged with vicarious trauma (Rauvola et al., 2019) Vicarious trauma is so impactful that the criteria set for posttraumatic stress disorder in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5) now expands to those who have witnessed trauma within their occupation or job when previous iterations of the DSM did not include such experiences (American Psychological Association, 2013).
Guilt is a common symptom of PTSD and other mental health disorders. It is noted that some journalists experience immense guilt due to witnessing trauma, sharing the story, but being unable to provide a direct helping role.
It has been documented that continual vicarious trauma that a reporter may experience can change one’s view of the world, even if they never leave the newsroom (Cohen & Collens, 2013). Trauma can create cognitive distortions, which can impact their functioning occupationally, socially, emotionally, and physically. Risk factors include age, moral injury, and sexual harassment (Drevo, 2016; Parker, 2015 as cited in Smith et al., 2015) View table 1 for examples of cognitive distortions within reporting/journalism.
Cognitive Distortion****Definition ****ExampleCatastrophizingBelieving the worst will happen due to previous traumatic stories“This world is just falling apart, nothing will get better”. Emotional ReasoningAssuming that because you feel strongly, it must be true“I feel guilty about being safe while others suffer, that means I don’t deserve peace”. OvergeneralizationDrawing conclusions from a single negative event. “That one story was horrible. Every assignment will be just as traumatizing”. Personalization Blaming yourself for things outside of your control“I should have done more to protect that source”. All-or-Nothing Thinking (Black-and-White Thinking)Seeing things in extremes, with no middle ground“If I take a break, people won’t get answers or support”. Should StatementsHarsh rules about how you or others “should” behave“I should be able to handle it, I am a professional and others have it worse”. Mental Filtering Focusing only on the negative and ignoring positives.“Everyone is saying I helped, but I can’t stop thinking about what I missed”. Labeling Assigning harsh, fixed labels to yourself or others.“I am weak for needing therapy, I did not experience the trauma”Mind ReadingAssuming you know what others are thinking without evidence.“The victims I interviewed must hate me for asking painful questions”.Magnification and MinimizationExaggerating your flaws or minimizing your strengths.“My compassion is not enough. I am useless in the face of real suffering”.
Experienced Trauma in Reporters and Journalists
Not only do journalists and reporters witness trauma, but they are also prone to experiencing it as well. Due to their public facing jobs and increased visibility, this community is vulnerable to harassment. Journalists play a crucial part in informing the public of the world’s news, their safety is paramount. Yet, in 2022, the United Nations reported that more than 70 journalists have been killed that year (UN News, 2022) and in 2018, 348 journalists were detained (Reporters Without Borders [RSF], 2018).. Journalism is a deadly profession.
Folks may encounter online harassment, stalking, threats of violence. Gravely, 31% of reporters have endured online violence (Newsroom safety across America). When accounting for gender differences, a staggering 73% of women experience online threats of physical or sexual violence, 20% reported experiencing physical violence, and 14% reproted experiencing sexual violence related to work (Barton & Storm, 2016 as cited in Smith et al, 2015). Sadly, due to competitive work environments, isolating swing shifts, and demanding hours, journalists are often alone with minimal support navigating this difficult terrain.
Signs one may be experiencing occupational related trauma as a reporter
- Intrusive thoughts or flashback of events they covered
- Irritability or sadness
- Guilt or shame, especially survivors guilt
- Loss of interest in previous enjoyed activities
- Decreased work performance (i.e., tardiness, missed deadlines, difficulty concentrating)
- Hopelessness or cynicism about the world
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Frequently checking social media or news related to traumatic events
- Loss of passion and decreased sense of accomplishment
- Burnout
**Support journalists and reporters after trauma or vicarious trauma **
Community is fundamental to trauma recovery and resiliency. Connecting with others who have shared experiences decreases feelings of isolation and validates current distress. Conversations around pain, sadness, or confusion reduces stigma and opens space for resources to be exchanged. A sense of belonging occurs when people share, and instills a potential for long term recovery, resilience, and decreased likelihood of retraumatization.
- Newsroom management and editors can create a safe environment for reporters through bringing in trauma specialists, self-care training, and systemic boundaries for employees like rotating assignments.
- Schools and training programs should incorporate trauma awareness into their classes. Trauma-informed reporting is important, but not sufficient. Conversations and education regarding how the trauma impacts the reporter is just as important.
- Peer Support can be extremely helpful and completed by frequent check-ins, times specifically dedicated to discussing mental health, or embedded mentorship programs.
- Therapy and Self Help opportunities can be encouraged to this community. Due to long work hours, ensuring that people are taking care of their basic needs (i.e., eating, hydration, and sleeping) will be beneficial to trauma resiliency, as would seeking mental health support from a trauma professional.
Resources for trauma support within journalism
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
International Women’s Media Foundation
Rory Peck Trust
Committee to Protect Journalists
Reporters Without Borders
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.
Barton, A., & Storm, H. (2016). Violence and harassment against women in the news media: A global picture. Women’s Media Foundation and the International News Safety Institute.
Browne, T., Evangeli, M., & Greenberg, N. (2012). Trauma‐related guilt and posttraumatic stress among journalists. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(2), 207-210.
Cohen K., & Collens P. (2013). The impact of trauma work on trauma workers: A metasynthesis on vicarious trauma and vicarious posttraumatic growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5(6), 570. 10.1037/a0030388
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma. (n.d.). Covering trauma: Impact on journalists. Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Retrieved July 7, 2025, fromhttps://dartcenter.org/content/covering-trauma-impact-on-journalists#:~:text=TRAUMA%20EXPOSURE&text=Research%20suggests%20that%20between%2080,Many%20experience%20repeated%20exposure
Drevo, S. (2016). The war on journalists: Pathways to posttraumatic stress and occupational dysfunction among journalists. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma
International Women’s Media Foundation. (n.d.). Newsroom safety across America. IWMF. Retrieved July 7, 2025, fromhttps://www.iwmf.org/newsroomsafety/
Parker, K. (2015). Aggression against journalists: Understanding occupational intimidation of journalists using comparisons with sexual harassment. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Rauvola R. S., Vega D. M., Lavigne K. N. (2019). Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious traumatization: A qualitative review and research agenda. Occupational Health Science, 3, 297–336. 10.1007/s41542-019-00045-1
Reporters without Borders. (2018). *Worldwide round-up of journalists killed, detained, help hostage, or missing in 2018. *Retrieved from https://rsf.org/sites/default/files/worldwilde_round-up.pdf
Skogstad, M., Skorstad, M., Lie, A., Conradi, H. S., Heir, T., & Weisæth, L. (2013). Work-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Occupational medicine, 63(3), 175-182.
Lee, W., Lee, Y. R., Yoon, J. H., Lee, H. J., & Kang, M. Y. (2020). Occupational post-traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review. BMC public health, 20, 1-12.
UN News. (2022, November 11). [Intimitated, jailed, abused: Threats against journalists harm us all, warns UN chief]. UN News.https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130117
World Health Organization. (2013). Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women: WHO clinical and policy guidelines. World Health Organization.
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