How journalists can safeguard their health
We need to protect journalists covering the war creating psychological safety
We need to protect the safety and mental health of journalists covering Israel-Hamas war, says Hannah Storm. “Only ethical, empathetic journalism can do justice to this complicated, painful situation”, writes the founder of Headlines Network in Journalism news. “Our journalistic roles come with responsibilities”, reminds the former director of the International News Safety Institute and the Ethical Journalism Network.
Let’s talk about… war
Marina Adami from the Reuters Institute spoke to experts Andrea Lampros and Alexa Koenig about how journalists can safeguard their health while confronted with graphic visuals from Gaza and other distressing imagery.
In this piece Dr. Anthony Feinstein explains what he’s learned through 20 years of research on the mental health of war correspondents in Mexico, Kenya and Iran.
The debate
The mental health emerged at a symposium co-hosted by Reynolds Journalism Institute. A thread that ran through the entire symposium was the importance of support for mental health for both journalists and service members. In one panel specifically focused on mental health, School of Journalism doctoral candidate Teodora Trifonova shined a light on the struggles faced by “fixers,” the people who often help journalists in foreign countries with tasks like translating, arranging interviews and providing background information, emphasizing that they are often exposed to the same traumatic events as journalists but receive comparatively little recognition or support. “I’ve lost two clients to suicide,” said whistleblower lawyer Mary Inman in another panel.
The research
Toxic work environments, online harassment, physical attacks, death threats... these are the dangers journalists face every day, that take a massive toll on their mental wellbeing. In the first nine months of 2023, 60% of the International Women’s Media Foundation’s (IWMF) Emergency Funds were for mental health support.
During times of global conflict, like the current wars in Gaza and Ukraine, journalists face an increased risk of emotional trauma as they report on the horrors of war. Since October 7, more than 100 journalists have been killed in the Israel-Gaza war – the deadliest conflict in 30 years. This conflict has left them grappling with the deaths of their colleagues, as well as the rising threats to their own lives.
IWMF recently spoke to an editor of a small, rural news organization who told: “The risks are escalating for everyone. We need a more holistic approach.” The IWMF provides this support to journalists. Thanks to the incredible contributions of its donors, it has disbursed more than $504,000 to upwards of 320 journalists seeking mental health services since 2020. Just $375, or five gifts of $75, can help a journalist access specialized mental health treatment after experiencing trauma.
The resources
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mar Cabra from The Self-Investigation will share her insights and lead an important conversation in a hands-on workshop to learn how to talk about mental health in the newsroom, develop effective and respectful digital communication guidelines or minimize multitasking on Thursday, May 23, the second day of The International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress and Media Innovation Festival #IPIWoCo