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Dart Research Database: the Definitive Bibliography of Scholarship on Journalism and Trauma

Produced by the Dart Research Lab at the University of Tulsa and the
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.


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  1. Lidia Peralta García and Tania Ouariachi "Syrian journalists covering the war: Assessing perceptions of fear and security" This article analyses the dangers and threats faced by Syrian journalists covering the conflict since the pro-democracy protests erupted in March 2011. While most Western research on the Syrian Revolution has focused on the working difficulties faced by correspondents, parachutists or foreign freelancers, this article scrutinizes the working conditions for Syrian content providers. Syrian journalists’ testimonials of fear and their perception of danger and vulnerability provide a humanistic lens not only on the scope of what revolution and war mean to many who have lived it and been transformed by it, but also on the reality of informing in dangerous contexts. The study contemplates the practitioners’ working risks and perceptions of fear and threats, as well as their personal security measurements. The characterization of fear during the militarization of the rebellion as a semi-normalized way of life, suggested by Pearlman’s article, ‘Narratives of fear in Syria’ (2016), allows the authors to place their study in a conceptual frame. The implementation of a survey answered by 82 Syrian journalists was complemented by semi-structured interviews with a selected group of 12 participants. In a context in which 86.6 percent of the respondents had colleagues who had died while working, the findings illustrate that Syrian reporters and media activists perceive their work as extremely dangerous. In the perception of fear, the adoption of personal safety measures by practitioners does not always contribute to decreasing it; the trauma experience can act both as a paralysing and empowering working factor. Media, War & Conflict Vol. 16 2023 p. 44-62. Quasi-experimental research Other journal War Adult Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Posttraumatic stress symptoms (subthreshold) NA NA NA Add
  2. Himmelstein, Hal and Faithorn, E. Perry "Eyewitness to Disaster How Journalists Cope with the Psychological Stress Inherent in Reporting Traumatic Events" Journalists' professional work routines often place them in disturbing and/or dangerous situations where they must confront their own vulnerability, and especially in the case of war correspondents and news photographers their own mortality. Inevitably they must deal with the psychological impact of the grieving and sometimes even the shock and disorientation of the human subjects of their stories. Ironically, journalists in such situations are often the ones ignored in terms of the emotional impact of what they are witnessing. How do journalists cope in the face of profound human tragedy and personal risk? Drawing on Sigmund Freud's conceptual model concerning the nature and working of the human mental apparatus, and subsequent major contributions by others who elaborated on and expanded the understanding of ego functions, this essay examines successful journalists' mental activities that aid them in coping with stress in the course of their work. The seasoned journalists interviewed offer introspective accounts of their professional experiences, revealing the broad range of conscious choices they make in their work which allow them to function at a high level in maximally challenging situations. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of Journalism Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) Journalism Studies Vol. 50 2000 Columbia Journalism Review p. 12. Quasi-experimental research Journalism specific journal Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Add
  3. "Witnessing War to Send Its Images Home" Nieman Reports 2004 09 ATOM Publishing p. 52-57. Narrative Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Add
  4. Feinstein, Anthony "The Psychological Hazards of War Journalism" This article details a psychiatrist's examination of how journalists respond to what they witness and report, focusing on the psychological hazards of war journalism. It is important to emphasize that the majority of individuals exposed to a traumatic event will not develop any formal psychiatric disorder. However, what distinguishes war journalism from other professions is repeated exposure to danger. And because journalists are not schooled in how to react to violence theoretically they are more likely to be vulnerable to danger's troubled aftermath. In the first study, 140 war journalists were assessed for the presence of these disorders. Notable was the high lifetime rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression in the war journalists' group. The second study took place after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Data were collected on a group of 46 journalists working for a New York-based news organizations. In the months after the collapse of the World Trade Center, symptoms of PTSD were common amongst these journalists. A third study looked at whether embedded journalists are at greater or lesser risk for developing PTSD and major depression when compared with their unilateral colleagues. Given the dangers confronted, the high mortality, and increased risk of developing PTSD and depression, what motivates journalists to return repeatedly to war zones? Those interviewed spoke of factors such as the importance of bearing witness, keeping the public informed of important events, having a ringside seat as history unfolded, and personal ambition. (Copyright of Communication and Mass Media Complete) Nieman Reports Vol. 54 2007 06 Public Relations Quarterly p. 38-42. Theoretical (no quasi/experimental data included) Other War NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Tips for coping with trauma Add
  5. Ballew-Gonzales, Christine "Trauma Journalists Counseling Journalists" Columbia Journalism Review Vol. 5 2003 p. 122-137. Narrative Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Posttraumatic stress symptoms (subthreshold) Depression Other Add
  6. Bolan, Kim "Death Threats are Sent to Try to Stop Reporting" Nieman Reports Vol. 60 2007 2007 Annual Meeting International Communication Association p. 1-1. Narrative Journalism/Communication magazine Terrorism Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Barriers to reporting on trauma Add
  7. Castaneda, Oscar and Shakeri, Gissoo Maguire, Mairead Corrigan Alston, Philip "Country List" Index on Censorship Vol. 47 2000 Fall2000 Nieman Reports p. 51. Other Other Nonsexual crime NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Radio broadcast Add
  8. "My Writing is an Act of Combat" This article presents an interview with Salima Tlemcani, a reporter at Algeria's El Watan newspaper. Tlemcani, who has covered civil war and corruption for the newspaper despite death threats from the GIA, an Islamic militant group. Tlemcani is a pen name and her identity is secret even from her family. For stories like the account of a war widow struggling to feed twenty-five grandchildren, Tlemcani will receive the 2004 Courage in Journalism award from the International Women's Media Foundation. Her family agreed that they could never forgive her if one of them were to die on her account. They would not stop telling her that she was free to make my choice, but that she did not have the right to make it. She could not give up her journalism and so she was forced to give up her name. Her writing is an act of combat against a regime where women do not have the right to be. She defends an idea, that of a democratic state where there is no place for those who gain their riches on the backs of the people. Tlemcani's reports on genocide rape and other acts of terrorism affected her. She became insensitive to the sight of blood and mutilated bodies. The images that continue to haunt her are those of butchered children and broken women. The assassinations of journalists are difficult to accept, but they reinforce my fight. (Copyright of Communication and Mass Media Complete) Columbia Journalism Review Vol. 33 2004 10 p. 611-631. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Print Add
  9. Ricchiardi, Sherry "After the Adrenaline" American Journalism Review Vol. 60 2006 p. 11-11. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Terrorism NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Tips for coping with trauma Add
  10. Ricchiardi, Sherry "Dangerous Journalism" American Journalism Review Vol. 16 2005 p. 24-42. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Add
  11. Canellos, Peter S. "Voice Elizabeth Neuffer In Memoriam" Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 2003 Spring2003 Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press p. 7. Narrative Trauma specific journal Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Print Add
  12. Dworznik, Gretchen "Journalism and Trauma" Competition for ratings and an ever-increasing public hunger for information have led to an abundance of death and suffering on the local evening news because these topics are both eye catching and attention grabbing. But while a great deal of research exists on journalists who cover war, very little can be found which investigates the local journalist and how they continue to do their jobs in the face of the murders, fatal car accidents and fires which make up the bulk of their daily work. This study sheds light on the subject by applying qualitative research methods to the personal narratives of 26 television reporters and photographers from a large Midwestern television market. By using a framework developed by Baumeister and Newman (1994), this study shows how the way in which these types of experiences are remembered by journalists helps them to continue to do their jobs. Abstract from Author Copyright of Journalism Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) Journalism Studies Vol. 3 1993 p. 52. Quasi-experimental research Journalism specific journal Non-specific/general Adult Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Narratives on witnessing trauma PTSD Television Add
  13. Kimbrough-Robinson, Carla "Good Mental Health Key to Success in Traumatic Job" This article discusses the significance of good mental health to journalists assigned to traumatic jobs. Journalists sometimes cover devastation, the horrors of war and tragedy simply because they must. They tell the stories of life and of death. Sooner or later, though, they may begin to suffer psychologically or emotionally. Studies have shown that journalists--just like firefighters, police officers, medics and soldiers--can suffer trauma from covering intense situations. Twenty percent of people who are exposed to traumatic events develop clinically significant psychological problems, according to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Web site. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that journalists covering war are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders than journalists not covering war. That may seem obvious. What may not be so clear is their own level of acceptance that journalists, just like other mere humans, can and do suffer stress from traumatic events. Consequently, they must take special care to watch out for the journalists who cover devastating circumstances, both at home and abroad. Feelings of grief, helplessness, irritability, depression and fear are not unusual for someone who has witnessed a traumatic event. Witnesses also might experience nightmares or upsetting thoughts some time after the event. The psychiatry journal article noted that journalists covering the war drank alcohol at about two to three times the amount of nonwar journalists. If journalists are using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, then that could signal a problem in the making. The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma offers extensive information about matters related to covering and surviving traumatic events. (Copyright of Communication and Mass Media Complete) Quill Vol. 8 1982 Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication p. 474-478. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Posttraumatic stress symptoms (subthreshold) Tips for coping with trauma Add
  14. "Dealing With the Trauma of Covering War" Presents an excerpt from the seminar `Dateline: Hell,' which took place in New York City on March 31, 1999 regarding the personal traumas and ethical dilemmas of covering wars, ethnic conflicts and human tragedies. (Copyright of Communication and Mass Media Complete) Nieman Reports Vol. 40 2007 09 Blackwell Publishing p. 178-212. Other Journalism/Communication magazine War NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Add
  15. Ricchiardi, Sherry and Gerczynski, Tom "Confronting the Horror" American Journalism Review Vol. 33 2001 Society of Professional Journalists p. 16. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Depression Other Add
  16. Ricchiardi, Sherry and Robertson, Lori "Coping with the Stress of Covering Horror" American Journalism Review Vol. 1 2007 12 p. 363-370. Other Journalism/Communication magazine Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Add
  17. Czech,Ted "Journalists and Trauma a Brief Overview" In the past decade, journalism experts realized what those in the fields of emergency response and management have known for much longer: that journalists could be psychologically affected by the traumatic events they covered. Although a fledgling field of study, groups such as the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma (based at the University of Washington in Seattle) have dedicated themselves to advocating the ethical and thorough reporting of trauma, educating working journalists about trauma and serving as a forum for journalists to discuss topics related to covering traumatic events. The three major studies conducted on the subject -- focusing on print journalists, photojournalists, and war journalists -- have discovered that journalists can suffer sleeplessness, flashbacks, and in most extreme cases, PTSD. According to Dr. Roger Simpson, director of the Dart Center, there is much work still to be done on the subject. [Author Abstract] International journal of emergency mental health Vol. 11 2004 Blackwell Publishing p. 129-150. Review (not including Meta-Analysis) General psychology journal Non-specific/general NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Add
  18. Feinstein, Anthony and Nicolson, Dawn "Embedded Journalists in the Iraq War Are They at Greater Psychological Risk?" Journal of Traumatic Stress Vol. 39 2006 06 Taylor & Francis p. 162-187. Quasi-experimental research Trauma specific journal War Adult Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) PTSD Depression Add
  19. Baldwin, Deborah and Revah, Susan "The Mounting Death Toll of Algerian Journalists" American Journalism Review Vol. 7 2006 2006 Annual Meeting International Communication Association p. 1-20. Other Journalism/Communication magazine War NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Print Add
  20. "The Deadly Risks of War Journalism" Focuses on the risks of war journalism. Number of the U.S. journalists died in the Iraq war; Problems related to Iraq war coverage. (Copyright of Communication and Mass Media Complete) Broadcasting & Cable Vol. 42 2005 12 University of Maryland p. 44-51. Other Journalism/Communication magazine War NA Occupational health of journalists (negative consequences of reporting trauma) Add