Critical Incidents

Media

The psychological impact on reporters, often overlooked by viewers, is a significant concern. Whether reporting from a studio or on the field, including in combat zones, the risk of psychological trauma is evident. Many journalists have seen their careers cut short or their personal lives severely affected due to repeated and graphic traumatic exposure. Like any other profession, there are effective ways to mitigate their suffering and support their well-being.

Critical Incidents encountered in the media include:

  • Line of duty death of a colleague

  • Serious injury to a co-worker

  • Unexpected death of a colleague

  • Reporting under highly dangerous conditions (e.g., local shootout)

  • Exposure to particularly gruesome incidents

  • Encounters with dismemberment or significant blood loss

  • Witnessing severely burned victims

  • Incidents involving critically ill or injured young children

  • Co-worker suicide

  • Assaults related to reporting

  • Direct threats of violence against staff

  • Being taken hostage

  • Operating in environments with Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

  • Long-term coverage of emotionally impacting stories

  • Exposure to intense sensory stimuli (e.g., smell of blood)

  • Reporting in mass casualty situations

  • Working in war zones

  • Covering line-of-duty deaths (e.g., police, firefighters)

  • Personal connections to stories or locations

  • Identifying with subjects in news stories

  • Reporting on individuals resembling themselves or loved ones

  • Covering multiple fatalities in a short span

  • Interacting with distraught family members

  • Handling invasive journalistic inquiries

  • Any situation impacting personal or professional functioning

If there is uncertainty about exposure to a critical incident within your media organization, or for support in managing these challenges, please consider reaching out to Dr. Brown for a consultation. He can help assess the situation and advise on an appropriate response.