A Reporter's Journey with Trauma

    There is a territory where in the media and professional communication that often gets hidden: the impact of traumatic events both upon those who experience them and the reporters themselves. As journalists, we find ourselves maneuvering through stories of disaster, tragedy, and loss, yet rarely do we pause to acknowledge the toll these things take on our own well-being.

    We go into this area today as we look through the lens of one particularly heinous crime in a small town and reflect on profound lessons from the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. As a reporter, I found myself thrown into the muck of a courtroom reenactment, tasked with recounting the harrowing experiences of a victim. But before I did this, I watched videos on ethical reporting and trauma awareness that were real eye-openers to the fine balance that exists between journalistic integrity and human compassion. They were also very clear that we should witness the trauma with sensibility and empathy while, of course, realizing how deeply it can affect our own mental and emotional health.

    The reenactment in the courtroom reified the crime and its aftermath. The Victim's statement brought me into a world filled with pain, fears, and resilience on the part of the victim. This was a stark reminder of what the human cost is due to such horrors and how much courage it takes to confront the perpetrator and revisit the trauma on a public platform. The words of the victim washed through, and an admiration and the knowledge I was witnessing heroic courage washed over me.

   I have been thinking about these experiences with the Trauma Workshop, and I found it interesting how the journey of the victim almost parallels what journalists do as they become a witness to these events. We, too, are first responders in our own right, tasked with unraveling the complexities of human suffering and translating them into stories that resonate with our audience.

    However, most of the time, in this process, what we are not taking care of is our own self-wellness and end up sucking in the trauma of others without support or self-care.

    What I learned from this is that journalist, each and every one of us can become a part of reconciling the wounds trauma leaves behind. Whether that be through mindfulness practice, by reaching out to peers, or simply checking in on one another. In writing down these thoughts, I am reminded of the great responsibilities journalists have. We are more than witnesses to history; actually, to a great extent, we are keepers of truth and empathy in a world full of pain and suffering.

    And although the journey is plagued with bumps and jerks, moments along it are ventured with humanity's deepest connections. And so we navigate the complexities of trauma—sometimes with great compassion and always with as much courage and steady commitment as we can. Lastly, remember that trauma has no particular targets—it applies to people of all races, genders, and every economical background. But so too resilience, and the capacity for healing and growth in the face of adversity. Together, let us find a way forward to the future that holds empathy in high value, meeting trauma with understanding and support from unwavering compassion.