By Caroline Malewo, MA-student, OsloMet
On the second day of the International conference on the safety of journalists, Dr. Elana Newman from the University of Tulsa and Reserch Director for the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma presented a keynote on the psychology of trauma and safety: Issues tools and resources for solidarity and self-reliance.
Elana Newman told us that between 85-100 percent of journalists cover significant trauma and the average number of work-related traumatic events ranges from 4 to 81.
She explained that knowledge of trauma is important to journalists because it helps them to make better news coverage and choices. It also reminds journalists to act sensitively and ethically with their sources.
Elana said knowledge of trauma to journalists, forms healthy journalists, who then report healthy journalism that promote healthy democracy which in the end leads to press freedom.
Elana Newman said “Distress is not a terrible thing, I want to challenge journalists to see emotions as part of data collection because when you know your feelings, you can be an objective journalist”.
She reminded the audience that a resilient journalist is one that practices solidarity and self-reliance but also one that is well-rested.
She concluded by encouraging journalists to build and sustain both professional and social networks, to look for resilient role models, to be a supportive colleague, and to keep the mission forefront.