On March 4th, DTU held the workshop “Psychological Safety for Investigative Reporting” chaired by Dr. Cait McMahon, Managing Director of Dart Centre Asia Pacific (Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism), and Journalist - Writer Pham Lan Phuong (pen-name Khai Don).
Dr. Cait McMahon and Journalist Khai Don presenting at the workshop
In collaboration with UNESCO and the American Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Dart Centre Asia-Pacific launched the project “Journalism & Trauma - Psychological Safety for Investigative Reporting” for students and professional journalists, which is about interviewing victims, self-care and peer support.
This workshop provided attendees with an often-neglected consideration in the journalism profession: Reporting trauma of journalists. Reportedly, 80-100% of journalists will face at least one traumatic event affecting themselves or victims and survivors.
Dr. Cait McMahon’s presentation covered signs of traumatic stress, reactions after witnessing violent conflict and other atrocities, tips for self-care, outlines how media professionals can take care of themselves and each other, tip sheets on how reporters can minimize harm when working with victims and survivors, and so on.
Media professionals attending the workshop
To minimize psychological harm by traumatic events or critical incidents, journalists must have a healthy body and strong mind when working. Firstly, journalists need to identify their audience and choose suitable ways to report. Journalists also should equip themselves with a broad social knowledge background to handle situations during interviewing and find helps from others; fill their phones with jokes and music; and do exercise, yoga or similar activities to be able to confidently face every "disaster".
In addition to the exciting presentation, students discussed with experts on issues they still wondered about. The workshop provided journalism students with necessary information and practical skills for their future profession.
At the end of the workshop, the students and journalists awarded Certificates of attendance for the workshop “Journalism and Trauma” and the handbook “Tragedies and Journalists”.
(Media Center)