Trauma in the newsroom

Abstract

In our country, journalists are often called terms such as the "watchdogs" or "whistle blowers" of our society. As a whole, we have a duty to seek the truth and protect the public from any entity that would try to chip away at the freedoms we enjoy through our democracy. In day-to-day interactions, journalists can be exposed to various acts of violence and crime. They have multiple deadlines to meet and work under constant pressure. An unfortunate, upward trend in violent acts, whether those are mass shootings, bombings, or stabbings, causes me to wonder if journalists are taking the necessary precautions to promote a positive mental and emotional environment. For my Honors Thesis, I will be creating a documentary that explores the social atmosphere in the newsroom. More specifically, I am looking to see if the newsroom is a place where its workers can seek solidarity and comfort after covering tragedies.