By Committee To Protect Journalists
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
With 26 days until the U.S. election, the Committee to Protect Journalists wants to ensure newsrooms have tools to support journalists and staff as they cover demanding election assignments.
In this third week of CPJ’s #ThinkSafety campaign, we are providing a list of key tools for supporting journalists’ mental health.
Long hours, industry instability, online harassment, exposure to violence, and the very nature of covering distressing stories can all coalesce and lead to a combination of burnout and stress. Newsroom leaders are encouraged to adopt proactive psychological safety practices to maintain the well-being of their staff.
Key considerations to support journalists’ mental health:
- Regularly check in with colleagues. Ask them what resources would be useful to support their work and provide accessible options for external support.
- Debrief after each assignment or at the end of each day if the story is ongoing. Helpful debriefs often include discussing what has gone well, what challenges arose, and what could be done differently.
- Define a mission and articulate it to your team. Be sure to convey that the harassment and threat colleagues may face online is in no way reflective of the quality of their work.
- Keep an eye on team members who have been covering difficult stories and consider offering opportunities for breaks or another reprieve like covering a lighter story. Be sure to offer time away from work, such as an afternoon or a long weekend. Limit contact during off-hours.
- Encourage connection with and amongst your colleagues. Research shows that peer support is one of the most important factors associated with journalists’ resilience.
Explore CPJ’s page on safely covering U.S. election events for additional resources on psychological, legal, digital, and physical safety.
