Young journalists will often encounter violence among their first
reporting experiences. The effects of catastrophe and cruelty
are newsworthy, particularly when victims are numerous, are famous
or are symbolic of something that we all relate to and hold dear:
a child killed in a schoolroom; a nurse held hostage in a hospital.
Whenever a reporter meets a survivor of traumatic events and
inquires about that trauma, there is a chance that the journalist
will witness - and may even precipitate - PTSD, Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder. By definition, PTSD is a triad of change for
the worse, lasting at least a month, occurring anytime after a
genuine trauma.
My purpose in writing this is to introduce journalism students
and working journalists (including you grizzled veterans) to
the definition of PTSD, its impact and significance - how to
anticipate it, recognize it, and report it, earning the respect
of your readers and your interviewees. I do this as a victim
advocate and a journalism advocate, to advance the agenda of
both groups. The recognition of PTSD and related conditions
enhances not only a reporter's professionalism, but also the degree
ofhumanitarianism brought to every victim interview.
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