Journalists: Covering Traumatic Events with Sensitivity

Tragedy assistance program for survivors

MEDIA COVERAGE & TRAUMA SURVIVORS

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

800-959-TAPS (8277)www.taps.org

April 2014Columbia University

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Overview

•My story

•What grieving military families face

•Recommendations for journalists reporting on trauma

•Reporting on suicide

•Resources for journalists



Caught in a Maelstrom

“The media swarmed from every possible direction.Surprisingly, not one person bothered his wife, only my parents.”

A sister who lost her brother in Iraq

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The Community Also Grieves

A military death is different. It is viewed as a death for the nation.

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Our Grief is Public - Forever

Arlington National CemeterySection 60

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Trapped in Stigma

Some families carry stigma over how or where their loved one died.

It can be particularly painful for them to share their stories. But it can be healing too.



Reporting Recommendations

Consider your perspective and how it might influence the story.

Victim vs. Survivor

Which one are you interviewing?




• This is not “just another story.”

• Don’t be afraid to offer your sympathies.

• Take off the “investigative journalist” mindset.

• Listen. A lot.

• Treat families with compassion.

• Grant extra leeway to families not accustomed to media attention.




• Get the details right.

• Be sensitive around coverage of anniversaries and birthdays.

• Respect the requests of the family for interaction with the media.

• Realize that families experiencing trauma may be under extreme stress.

• It may not be therapeutic for surviving family members to talk to press.

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Open your mind to the idea of more than the stereotypical story.

What is really the story?




• Be careful in what you choose to show.

• Consider the impact on the family. Can you look them in the eye after the story?

• Give families copies of photos and videos without charge.

• Categorize photos as “editorial use only.”

• Zealously guard copyrights for news photos showing survivors, fallen service members, or funerals.




• Think long-term.

• It takes time to develop trust with a family.

• Consider how media behavior might be interpreted by stressed people, who have never engaged with the media before.

• Rigorously discuss journalist ethics related to coverage of the war, the families of the fallen, and trauma survivors.



Reporting on Children

Review the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma’s recommendations on interviewing child trauma survivors.

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Media Coverage and Suicide



Reporting on Suicide

• Families need time to understand.

• Research shows that sensationalized reporting can contribute to copycat deaths.

• Informative reporting can prevent deaths.

• Avoid describing in great detail the manner used or the scene of the death.

• Always include prevention and hotline information.

• You MUST get it right.



Reporting Resources: Suicide

• Reporting on Suicidewww.reportingonsuicide.org

• Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma – guidewww.dartcenter.org

• Poynter Institutewww.poynter.org

• TAPS1-800-959-TAPS (8277), www.taps.org (for media)

• Association for Suicide Preventionwww.afsp.org

http://www.reportingonsuicide.org/

http://www.dartcenter.org/

http://www.poynter.org/

http://www.taps.org/

http://www.afsp.org/



Reporting Resources: Trauma

• Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma www.dartcenter.org

• Poynter Institute www.poynter.org

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors www.taps.org

http://www.dartcenter.org/

http://www.poynter.org/




Contact Information

Ami Neiberger-Miller, APR, MA

202.588.8277

[email protected]

www.taps.org – For Media

mailto:[email protected]


Journalists: Covering Traumatic Events with Sensitivity

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