Advanced - Media Helping Media https://mediahelpingmedia.org Free journalism and media strategy training resources Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:25:49 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-MHM_Logo-32x32.jpeg Advanced - Media Helping Media https://mediahelpingmedia.org 32 32 Computer-assisted reporting (CAR) https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/computer-assisted-reporting-car/ Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:17:34 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5518 Computer-Assisted Reporting (CAR) refers to the use of digital tools such as spreadsheets, databases, and basic statistical analysis to interrogate large datasets.

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]]> Image of journalists carrying out computer-assisted reporting (CAR) image created using Imagen 3 - created by David Brewer of MHMComputer-Assisted Reporting (CAR) refers to the use of digital tools such as spreadsheets, databases, and basic statistical analysis to interrogate large datasets.

Since the development of computers, CAR has been used by journalists to uncover patterns and trends by examining data. Now, CAR has become a subset of the wider area of expertise known as data journalism – which includes coding, automation, and data visualisation for interactive storytelling.

In our article ‘What is data journalism?‘ we refer to CAR in the context of its role in data journalism. But what is CAR? And how does it differ from data journalism.

  • Computer-Assisted Reporting (CAR):
    • Emerged in the late 20th century as journalists began using computers for reporting.
    • Focuses on using databases, spreadsheets, and basic statistical tools to analyse public records, election results, crime reports, etc.
    • Example: A journalist using Excel to analyse government spending records for a piece of investigative journalism.
  • Data Journalism:
    • A broader, more modern evolution of CAR that includes data collection, analysis, and data visualisation.
    • Incorporates coding, automation, and interactive storytelling techniques.
    • Often involves using programming languages (Python, R), web scraping, machine learning, and data visualisation tools (Tableau, D3.js).
    • Example: The New York Times’ interactive COVID-19 tracking dashboards or The Guardian’s data-driven investigative reports.

Differences between CAR and data journalism:

Feature CAR Data journalism
Focus Data analysis for investigative journalism Data-driven storytelling & visualisation
Tools Spreadsheets, databases Programming, APIs, visualisation tools
Approach Analysing structured data Collecting, cleaning, analysing, and visualising data
Evolution 1980s-1990s 2000s-present

In short, CAR is an early form of data journalism. While CAR was about using computers for analysis, data journalism has expanded to include sophisticated digital tools, coding, and visual storytelling techniques.

Related articles

What is data journalism?

Good journalism has always been about data

Data journalism – resources and tools

Data journalism glossary

 

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]]> Good journalism has always been about data https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/good-journalism-has-always-been-about-data/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 19:32:20 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5422 We are all data journalists, even those who may have never heard of the term before. Data journalism has been around for years, it's just more accessible and useful now.

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]]> Image of journalists looking at a computer screen created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping MediaWe are all data journalists, even those who may have never heard of the term before. Data journalism has been around for years, it’s just more accessible and useful now.

I can remember when I first realised I was a data journalist, or at least helping to produce data journalism.

It was in the summer of 1997 when we were getting ready to launch the BBC News website.  (And by the way, I don’t get any marks for being perceptive, because as we point out in the article ‘What is data journalism?‘, all journalists are data journalists, whether they know it or not, so I had been one since the 1960s.)

Anyway, we were looking at how to produce and improve news stories – and all our assumptions belonged in the analogue age.

We were obviously aware that unlike television and radio, online news was not an ephemeral, one-word-at-a-time medium. Users could dwell on text and be directed to other information for valuable context and background.

We wanted to offer rich, instantly-available material that supplemented and enhanced every story.

But to produce that kind of material, we were used to relying on our own and our colleagues’ memories and archives, the BBC’s tape and audio libraries, a newspaper cuttings library and rudimentary newsroom systems that were not connected to the Internet.

In other words, it was a bit haphazard, almost certainly incomplete, relied on a lot of legwork and took ages.

Suddenly, as our tech guru patiently explained to us, we had electronic access to all kinds of valuable material.  He called it “data”.  The penny dropped.

We could automatically link to related stories. We could use search to produce the raw data for time-lines and fact files.  We could pull down stories being written on primitive terminals in the BBC’s  Moscow newsroom and automatically format them as web pages.

We even had a stab at a bit of software that would automatically create a timeline on important, recurring stories. It would search all our sources for, say, unrest in any particular country and produce a list of events.

To make the list usable, we had to instruct it not to put any two items too close together chronologically, unless they were very important, and to exclude items of lesser importance if the list was too long.

It was very ambitious and I cannot remember if we ever got round to implementing this functionality.  If we did, then we almost invented an early version of artificial intelligence.

But now, the real thing is here, and the new capabilities that fascinated and thrilled us in those early years are now easily and freely available to everyone, in much more powerful versions, thanks to the power of large language models, neural networks and immense distributed computing power.

So now, not only are all journalists data journalists, we all have access to immense quantities of priceless data and the tools to make good use of it.  We have listed many of those data tools and resources.

They are wonderful.  But do not forget that in the term “data journalist” the second word is more important than the first.

We should all be thrilled and grateful for the things Artificial Intelligence makes possible, but the most powerful tools are still the human journalist’s instinct, judgement and training.

Bob Eggington

Graphic for a Media Helping Media lesson plan

This text offers a fascinating glimpse into the nascent stages of digital journalism, particularly the moment when the author recognised the inherent data-driven nature of the craft. Let’s expand on this, adding depth, meaning, and perspective:

The ubiquity of data journalism 

The assertion that “we are all data journalists” transcends a mere label. It’s a fundamental recognition of the information age’s defining characteristic: the sheer volume of data surrounding us. Even before the term gained currency, journalists were implicitly engaged in data analysis, sifting through facts, statistics, and records to construct narratives. The shift, as the author articulates, lies in the accessibility and utility of data.

The analogue to digital leap

The author’s recollection of the BBC News website’s launch in 1997 is a powerful illustration of this transition. The limitations of analogue methods – reliance on memory, physical archives, and disconnected systems – highlight the transformative potential of digital data. The “tech guru’s” revelation wasn’t just about accessing “valuable material”; it was about recognising the inherent structure and relationships within information, the ability to connect disparate pieces into a coherent whole.

Beyond automation

The ambitious attempt to create an automated timeline generator speaks to the early recognition of AI’s potential in journalism. The challenges faced – managing chronological proximity and prioritising information – are precisely the problems that modern AI and machine learning algorithms address. This anecdote is more than a historical footnote; it’s a testament to the foresight of those who recognised the need for intelligent data processing.

The democratisation of data and tools

The author rightly points out that the tools that were once the exclusive domain of tech-savvy journalists are now widely accessible. Large language models, neural networks, and distributed computing have democratised data analysis, empowering individuals to explore, interpret, and visualise information in unprecedented ways. This democratisation, however, does not diminish the importance of journalistic ethics and skills.

The enduring significance of the journalist

The emphasis on “journalist” over “data” is crucial. While AI can automate tasks and provide insights, it cannot replace the human element of journalism. The author’s “instinct, judgement and training” remain indispensable. This encompasses:

  • Critical thinking: Evaluating the credibility and relevance of data sources.
  • Contextualisation: Placing data within a broader social, political, and historical framework.
  • Ethical considerations: Recognising and mitigating biases in data and algorithms.
  • Narrative construction: Crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
  • Human empathy: Understanding and conveying the human impact of data-driven insights.
  • Accountability: Holding power to account, even when the power is expressed in data.

The evolving role of the data journalist

The modern data journalist is not merely a data wrangler but a storyteller, an investigator, and a communicator. They must possess a blend of technical skills and journalistic acumen. They must be able to:

  • Extract meaningful insights from complex datasets.
  • Visualise data in a clear and engaging manner.
  • Communicate data-driven findings to diverse audiences.
  • Understand the limitations and biases of data and algorithms.
  • Use data to uncover hidden patterns and trends.

A call for responsible innovation

As AI continues to transform journalism, it is essential to remember that technology is a tool, not a replacement for human intelligence. The focus should be on using AI to enhance journalistic capabilities, not to automate them entirely. The ethical implications of AI in journalism – including issues of bias, transparency, and accountability – must be carefully considered.

In conclusion, the author’s reflections provide a valuable perspective on the evolution of data journalism. The journey from analogue limitations to digital possibilities underscores the transformative power of data. However, the enduring importance of journalistic integrity and human judgment reminds us that technology is only as good as the people who use it.

Related articles

Data journalism – resources and tools

Data journalism glossary

What is data journalism?

 

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]]> Data journalism – resources and tools https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/data-journalism-resources-and-tools/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:57:38 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5402 We have compiled a list of some of the leading resources and tools that are available for those starting out in data journalism.

The post Data journalism – resources and tools first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of journalists accessing data created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media
Image of journalists accessing data created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

We have compiled a list of some of the leading resources and tools that are available for those starting out in data journalism.

This list will be updated over time. You might want to consult our Data journalism glossary to look up some of the terms that appear below.

Tools;

Below is a list of tools used by data journalists. They cover data gathering, cleaning, analysis, and visualisation. These tools are great for both beginners and experienced data journalists:

Data collection & scraping tools

Data cleaning & preparation

Data visualisation tools

Mapping tools

Data analysis & statistics tools

Fact-checking & verification tools

Other handy tools

Tools for specialist reporters and correspondents

Considerations for using free tools:

  • Data privacy: Be mindful of data privacy when using free tools, especially when working with sensitive information.
  • Learning curves: Some powerful free tools might have a steeper learning curve than paid alternatives.
  • Community support: Look for tools with active communities, as this can provide valuable support and resources.

By combining these free resources, you can build a strong foundation in data journalism without breaking the bank.

Websites:

Related articles

Good journalism has always been about data

Data journalism glossary

What is data journalism?

 

The post Data journalism – resources and tools first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Data journalism glossary https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/data-journalism-glossary/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:02:14 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5385 The following words and terms are commonly used in data journalism. Data journalists might want to familiarise themselves with them.

The post Data journalism glossary first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of a network interface card created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping MediaThe following words and terms are commonly used in data journalism. Data journalists might want to familiarise themselves with them.

Often used words and phrases

  • Algorithm:
    • A set of rules or instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem or perform a task. In data journalism, algorithms can be used for various purposes. Link: Algorithm
  • API (Application Programming Interface):
    • A digital tool that lets you pull data directly from a website or database, often used by journalists to access updated datasets. Link: API
  • Choropleth map:
    • A map shaded in different colours to show how a number or rate changes by area (e.g., COVID-19 cases by county). Link: Choropleth map
  • Computational thinking:
    • The process of breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, and then creating algorithms to solve them. Link: Computational thinking
  • Correlation:
    • A relationship between two variables (note: correlation doesn’t mean causation). Link: Correlation
  • CSV (Comma-Separated Values):
    • A common, simple file format for datasets which is basically a spreadsheet saved as plain text. Link: CSV
  • Data analysis:
    • Examining data to identify trends, patterns, and relationships. Link: Data analysis
  • Data bias:
    • When data is skewed or incomplete journalists need to be alert to this to avoid misleading the audience. Link: Data bias
  • Data cleansing (or wrangling):
    • The process of fixing messy data in order to correct errors, fill in missing info, and format it so it’s ready for analysis. Link: Data cleansing
  • Data ethics:
    • Principles and guidelines for the responsible collection, analysis, and dissemination of data, with a focus on privacy, security, and fairness. Link: Data ethics
  • Data journalism:
    • The practice of using data to find, create, and tell news stories. It involves collecting, analysing, and visualising data to inform the public. Link: Data journalism
  • Data leak (or breach):
    • When private or sensitive data is released, intentionally or accidentally, newsrooms often investigate these. Link: Data leak or breach
  • Data literacy:
    • The ability to understand, interpret, and communicate data effectively. This includes critical thinking, statistical reasoning, and the ability to identify biases. Link: Data literacy
  • Data mining:
    • The process of extracting valuable information and patterns from large datasets. Link: Data mining
  • Data scraping:
    • Data scraping is the automated process of extracting data from websites or other sources and saving it into a structured format. Link: Data scraping
  • Data transparency:
    • Being open about how the data was handled, what assumptions were made, and what might be missing.
  • Data visualisation:
    • Representing data visually through charts, graphs, maps, and other graphical formats. Link: Data visualisation
  • Dataset:
    • Or data-set is a collection of related data, like a spreadsheet or table, often the starting point for a data story. Link: Dataset
  • Deduplication:
    • Removing repeated entries in a dataset to avoid counting the same thing twice. Link: Data deduplication
  • Descriptive statistics:
    • Simple summaries of data, such as averages, medians, and percentages, that help explain your findings. Link: Descriptive statistics
  • FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Request:
  • Geospatial data:
    • Data that includes location information which is essential for making maps or analysing patterns by area. Link: Geospatial data
  • Heat map:
    • A graphic that uses colour intensity to show concentrations of activity or numbers. Link: Heat map
  • Interactive graphics:
    • Visuals that let readers explore data such as maps you can zoom in on or filters to compare regions.
  • Interactive visualisation:
  • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation):
    • A format often used by websites and APIs to structure data. Journalists may need to convert this into tables. Link: JSON
  • Machine learning:
    • Computer systems analysing data to find patterns. Used in investigative journalism for things like identifying fake accounts. Link: Machine learning
  • Margin of error:
    • A measure of how much uncertainty there is in survey results. This is particularly important when reporting on political opinion polls. Link: Margin of error
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP):
    • A way to automatically analyse large amounts of text such as searching through thousands of documents for themes. Link: NLP
  • Normalisation:
    • Adjusting numbers to make fair comparisons such as calculating rates per 100,000 people instead of raw numbers. Link: Normalisation
  • Open data:
    • Data published by governments, organisations, or researchers that’s free for anyone to use in their reporting. Link: Open data
  • Outlier:
    • A data point that sticks out because it’s much higher or lower than the rest. Sometimes these lead to important news stories. Link: Outlier
  • Parsing:
    • Breaking down complex information (such as addresses or dates) into standardised parts for easier analysis. Link: Parsing
  • Regression analysis:
    • A more advanced statistical method to explore relationships between variables. This is sometimes used in deep journalistic investigations. Link: Regression analysis
  • Sampling bias:
    • This exists when the group surveyed or studied doesn’t represent the larger population. This can distort results and conclusions. Link: Sampling bias
  • SQL (Structured Query Language):
    • A coding language for searching through large databases. This is helpful for investigative journalism projects. Link: SQL
  • Spreadsheet:
    • A basic tool such as Excel or Google Sheets that most journalists use to store, sort, and analyse data. Link: Spreadsheet
  • Statistical analysis:
    • Using statistical methods to analyse data, including things such as finding the mean, median, and mode, and also finding standard deviations. Link: Statistical and data analysis
  • Structured data:
    • Data organised in rows and columns (such as Excel spreadsheets) that’s easy to sort and analyse. Link: Structured data analysis
  • Time series data:
    • Data collected over time. This is useful for spotting trends, such as changes in crime rates or housing prices. Link: Time series database
  • Tooltip:
    • A small pop-up box in a graphic that appears when readers hover over a data point to reveal details. Link: Tooltip
  • Unstructured data:
    • Data that doesn’t come in neat tables, such as PDFs, social media posts, or interview transcripts. Link: Unstructured data
  • Web scraping:
    • The process of automatically extracting data from websites. Link: Web scrapin

Related articles

Data journalism – resources and tools

What is data journalism?

Good journalism has always been about data

 

The post Data journalism glossary first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> What is data journalism? https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/what-is-data-journalism/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:51:21 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5375 Data journalism, also known as data-driven journalism, is the process of finding, understanding, and processing information in order to produce news stories.

The post What is data journalism? first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of a journalist analysing data created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media
Image of a journalist analysing data created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

Data journalism, also known as data-driven journalism, is the process of finding, understanding, and processing information in order to produce news stories.

It’s always been part of the news production workflow but has increased in importance since the development of computers and the internet.

In the past journalists used to analyse numbers by hand trying to make sense of what they had jotted down in their notebooks when out covering a story.

By just asking the basic journalistic questions of what, why, when, how, where, and who, journalists were gathering data. This would result in collecting important data such as:

  • What has happened?
    • Event type and frequency: Crash, fire, riot – is it this the first time, the 10th time – how many times?
  • How many people were affected?
    • Number of people killed or injured, ambulances, police deployed
  • When did this happen?
    • Time and date, rush hour, drive time, overnight, morning.
  • Where did it happen?
    • Location – street, town, intersection, map reference, accident blackspot, area of known tension perhaps
  • Who could have more information?
    • Local authority or police records, facts and figures regarding similar events in the past.

In the example above the reporter would have jotted down any information they could find about the story they were covering. Those notes contained data which would be an essential part in telling the story.

That data, if processed and then analysed, could help the journalist and their team dig much deeper. But there was limited access to that data.

It would be contained in the reporter’s notebook, in the next edition of the newspaper, or broadcast in the next news bulletin, and stored in a newsroom archive as a physical cutting – but it would be hard to retrieve or be of much further use. (See – The importance of keeping records)

Perhaps a diligent journalist, who was specialising in a particular area, or working on an investigation, would create a simple hand-drawn spreadsheet to try to crunch the numbers, but often they were soon sent off to cover the next story and the data they had gathered would be put to one side.

Then came computers. This enabled journalists to store data and make sense of it using spreadsheets to look for patterns in terms of frequency, size, time, and any relationships between events.

With the development of the internet it became easier to find and share large amounts of data. Computers could be used to connect the data in ways that would have been impossible for a journalist in the past.

This resulted in computer assisted reporting (CAR) which uses technology to analyse data and helps journalists find hidden stories and investigate complex issues such fraud and corruption.

By examining large datasets – structured collections of related data revealing patterns, trends, and relationships –  journalists are able to produce more accurate and impactful journalism.

Computers also enable journalists to display the data they had gathered in graphs, charts, and maps – this is called data visualisation – which means that complex datasets can be displayed in easy to understand ways.

Data journalism is now an important part of news production with many journalists using advanced tools to find complex stories. And they are able to share their data so everyone can see where the information came from. This also leads to collaboration between different teams of journalists working together on a complex and important investigation.

In summary, data journalism has progressed from being a specialist practice, to an integral part of modern news reporting in several ways:

  • Data analysis: Collecting, organising, and examining large amounts of data to uncover trends, patterns, and news angles.
  • Storytelling: Using the insights uncovered to create compelling and informative news stories, and presenting complex information in a clear and easy to understand way.
  • Visualisation: Creating charts, graphs, and maps to help audiences understand the stories behind the data.
  • Tools: The use of spreadsheets, statistical software, and data visualisation platforms to process data in order to make it more useful in the news production process.
  • Evidence: By including reliable and rich data in stories, data journalism can provide a more objective and evidence-based approach to reporting.
  • Quantity: Data journalism enables a journalist to sift through large amounts of data – such as survey results, financial figures, football results, and government records to find stories hidden within that data.
  • Accessibility: The journalist can then present those stories in a clear and easy-to-understand way using charts and graphs.
  • Reliability: Instead of just relying on someone’s opinion, as has often been the case in the past, the journalist can use facts and figures to back up their reporting.

Graphic for a Media Helping Media lesson plan

Data journalism – further thoughts

Journalism has always been a pursuit of truth, sifting through the noise to reveal what matters. At its core lies the fundamental task of gathering, analysing, and presenting information in ways that help society make sense of the world.

Over time, the methods used by journalists have evolved, but one constant remains: data has always been central to storytelling, whether jotted in a notebook or embedded within sprawling digital databases.

What has changed dramatically is the scale, speed, and sophistication with which journalists can access and interrogate information. The digital age has transformed raw data from fragmented observations into powerful tools for accountability, insight, and public understanding.

Where once reporters might have tallied casualty figures by hand or kept mental notes on patterns they noticed over time, they now wield vast datasets – crime records, health statistics, financial disclosures, social media activity – as both sources and subjects of their investigations.

The shift is not merely technological but philosophical. Data-driven journalism reframes the journalist’s role. They are no longer just a chronicler of events, they are also an investigator uncovering patterns invisible to the naked eye.

A single incident becomes part of a larger puzzle: a crash is not just an accident but potentially a symptom of systemic infrastructure failures; a spike in evictions reveals deeper housing inequities; electoral results expose demographic shifts and political realignments.

Data breathes life into these stories, adding context, nuance, and evidence that deepens public understanding.

With computational tools, journalists move beyond surface narratives to probe the why and how, not just the what. Algorithms, spreadsheets, and statistical models allow them to test hypotheses, verify claims, and uncover hidden relationships.

This capability becomes crucial in an era where misinformation spreads fast, and complex issues, such as climate change, global pandemics, economic inequality, demand rigorous scrutiny.

Equally transformative is the way data enables storytelling. Visualisations such as maps, charts, interactive graphics, help translate complexity into clarity. They allow audiences to see the scale of a crisis, the trajectory of a trend, or the impact of policy decisions in ways that words alone cannot achieve.

Good data visualisation doesn’t just display numbers; it creates an emotional and intellectual connection, turning abstract figures into human stories.

Another profound shift is the collaborative nature of modern data journalism. No longer confined to individual reporters. Many of the most impactful investigations today involve teams of journalists, data scientists, designers, and programmers working together across borders.

Global projects such as the Panama Papers or investigations into environmental destruction exemplify the power of shared datasets and collaborative analysis. Transparency in these projects – publishing methodologies, sharing datasets – also strengthens trust in journalism at a time when skepticism is high.

Ultimately, data journalism enriches the very purpose of the media: to inform, to explain, and to hold power to account. By grounding stories in verifiable evidence, it elevates reporting from anecdote to analysis, offering audiences not just opinions but actionable insights.

As data becomes ever more abundant, the journalist’s challenge is to remain not just a transmitter of information, but a skilled interpreter – someone who can connect the dots, surface the hidden stories, and empower the public to see the world more clearly.

Data is no longer a byproduct of reporting; it is a fundamental driver of journalism’s future.

Graphic for the Q&As on MHM training modulesQuestions and Answers

  1. Question: What is data journalism, and how has its importance changed over time?
    • Answer: Data journalism, also known as data-driven journalism, is the process of finding, understanding, and processing information to produce news stories. While it has always been a part of news production, its importance has significantly increased with the development of computers and the internet, allowing for more efficient and in-depth analysis of large datasets.
  2. Question: How did journalists gather and analyse data before the widespread use of computers?
    • Answer: Before computers, journalists gathered data by hand, jotting down notes in notebooks and attempting to analyse them manually. They used basic journalistic questions such as “what,” “why,” “when,” “how,” “where,” and “who” to collect information. Sometimes, diligent journalists would create hand-drawn spreadsheets for simple analysis, but this was often time-consuming and limited.
  3. Question: What is Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR), and how has it transformed journalism?
    • Answer: Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR) uses technology to analyse data, helping journalists uncover hidden stories and investigate complex issues like fraud and corruption. By examining large datasets, journalists can identify patterns, trends, and relationships that would be impossible to see manually.
  4. Question: What is data visualisation, and why is it important in data journalism?
    • Answer: Data visualisation involves displaying gathered data in graphs, charts, and maps. It’s important because it allows journalists to present complex datasets in an easy-to-understand way, making it accessible to a wider audience and enhancing the impact of their stories.
  5. Question: How does data journalism contribute to a more objective and evidence-based approach to reporting?
    • Answer: By including reliable and rich data in stories, data journalism provides a more objective and evidence-based approach to reporting. It allows journalists to back up their reporting with facts and figures, rather than relying solely on opinions.
  6. Question: How has the role of a journalist evolved with the rise of data journalism?
    • Answer: The role of a journalist has evolved from simply chronicling events to also becoming an investigator who uncovers patterns and relationships within data. They now use tools to analyse large datasets, test hypotheses, and verify claims, providing deeper insights and accountability.
  7. Question: What are some examples of tools used in data journalism?
    • Answer: Tools used in data journalism include spreadsheets, statistical software, and data visualisation platforms. These tools help journalists process and analyse large datasets, making the information more useful for news production.
  8. Question: How does data journalism enhance storytelling?
    • Answer: Data journalism enhances storytelling by providing context, nuance, and evidence that deepens public understanding. Visualisations such as maps and charts help translate complex data into clear and impactful narratives.
  9. Question: How has collaboration changed in modern data journalism, and why is it important?
    • Answer: Modern data journalism involves increased collaboration among journalists, data scientists, designers, and programmers, often across borders. This collaboration is crucial for tackling complex investigations and sharing datasets, strengthening trust through transparency.
  10. Question: What is the significance of data transparency in data journalism?
    • Answer: Data transparency, such as publishing methodologies and sharing datasets, strengthens trust in journalism, especially in times of skepticism. It allows the audience to see where the information came from and verify the findings, promoting accountability and credibility.

Related articles

Data journalism – resources and tools

Data journalism glossary

Good journalism has always been about data

The post What is data journalism? first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Human contribution to climate change https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/human-contribution-to-climate-change/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:44:35 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5346 Journalists need to be aware of the danger of providing false equivalence and false balance when covering news stories - particularly regarding the subject of climate change.

The post Human contribution to climate change first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of the earth from space created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping MediaJournalists need to be aware of the danger of providing false equivalence and false balance when covering news stories – particularly regarding the subject of climate change.

The fact that climate change is driven by human activities is a matter of established scientific reality. However there will be those who disagree with this and who demand equal air time in order to get what they feel is fair exposure to their views.

Such contrary views need to be considered alongside decades of rigorous research, encompassing diverse scientific disciplines, that have reached one compelling conclusion: the Earth’s climate is warming at an unprecedented rate, and this warming is primarily attributable to human activity in the form of greenhouse gas emissions.

Journalists need to be aware of these scientific facts and ensure that they don’t try to ‘balance’ coverage by treating differing views in the global warming debate as having equal credibility and value.

This is about avoiding false equivalence or false balance. False equivalence is when journalists sometimes present an inaccurate or false version of events by trying too hard to ‘balance’ a story or incorrectly treating elements of a story as being roughly equal – or opinions as being of equal value.

To help journalists understand the importance of providing factual climate change and global warming coverage Media Helping Media has gathered some of the overwhelming scientific evidence, supported by data and research that points the finger at human activity as a major cause of climate change.

This evidence makes clear that those who contest the causes of climate change without credible evidence should not be given equal weight in serious scientific, policy, or media discussions.

If journalists and programme producers fall into the trap of providing false equivalence and false balance when covering stories related to climate change they will be denying the public the facts they need to make informed choices.

The evidence:

The anthropogenic greenhouse effect is the primary driver of these changes. Human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide, have amplified the natural greenhouse effect, leading to accelerated warming. The increase in greenhouse gas concentrations has caused the atmosphere to retain about 1% more energy compared to pre-industrial times.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that it is “extremely likely” (95%+ probability) that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century. The scientific evidence is based on extensive research, including analysis of ice cores, tree rings, ocean sediments, and changes in the Earth’s orbit. IPCC Reports

While natural climate variability exists, it does not explain the rapid warming observed since the 1950s. The current rate of warming is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years, and possibly longer.

In conclusion, the science of climate change is well-established, and there is an overwhelming consensus that anthropogenic effects are the primary contributors to global warming. The evidence spans multiple scientific disciplines and is supported by observations, measurements, and climate models.

Journalists need to be familiar with these models and with the evidence they produce before covering climate change stories.

Focusing on facts:

Given the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, those who contest it should generally not be given as much air-time in debates/discussions in the media or column inches in newspapers.

However, journalists need to be careful to ensure they maintain fairness while also ensuring accuracy. Dissenting voices should be heard, the issue is in what proportion.

  • The scientific consensus on climate change is exceptionally strong, with studies showing that between 91% and 100% of climate scientists agree that human activities are causing climate change.
  • Among climate scientists with high levels of expertise (20+ papers published), the agreement reaches 100%. This level of consensus is rare in science and indicates a robust body of evidence.
  • The consensus has been growing stronger over time, with recent studies showing it approaching 100%. This trend reflects the accumulating evidence and improved understanding of climate systems.
  • Multiple independent studies, using different methodologies and sampling methods, have consistently found a high level of consensus. This consistency across various approaches strengthens the reliability of the consensus.
  • Major scientific organisations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing the position that human-caused climate change is real. This institutional support further validates the consensus. See NASA’s Scientific consensus: Earth’s climate is warming.
  • The evidence for human-caused climate change is based on more than a century of scientific research, forming the structural backbone of our current understanding.
  • Recent research shows that communicating the scientific consensus effectively increases public belief in climate change, worry about its impacts, and support for action.
  • While healthy skepticism is a part of the scientific process, those who contest the established consensus on climate change often do so without providing credible scientific evidence to support their claims. Their arguments typically do not withstand rigorous peer review or scrutiny from the broader scientific community.
  • It’s important to note that the public often underestimates the level of scientific consensus on climate change. This misperception can be exploited by those contesting the consensus to create doubt where little actually exists within the scientific community.

Conclusion:

The scientific community’s near-unanimous agreement on anthropogenic climate change is not a matter of opinion but a reflection of decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed research.

This consensus is supported by a vast body of evidence, including temperature records, atmospheric data, ice core analyses, and climate modelling.

Therefore, in discussions regarding climate change and its implications, it is important to prioritise the perspectives of those who adhere to the established scientific consensus.

Those who deny this consensus without providing credible, peer-reviewed evidence should not be given equal weight in serious scientific or policy deliberations.

To do otherwise undermines the integrity of scientific discourse and hinders the development of effective solutions to address this critical global challenge.

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Journalistic integrity

The core issue isn’t simply “balancing” viewpoints; it’s about upholding journalistic integrity in the face of overwhelming scientific consensus. False balance undermines the public’s ability to make informed decisions by creating a perception of equal validity between established science and fringe opinions.

The following are some suggestions as to how journalists should handle differing views on the causes of climate change.

The evidence

  • Decades of research:
    • Emphasise that the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change isn’t a fleeting opinion but a conclusion drawn from decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed research across multiple disciplines.
    • Highlight the sheer volume of data: ice core analysis, satellite measurements, ocean temperature records, atmospheric composition studies, and complex climate modelling.
    • Explain that this consensus isn’t merely a majority vote; it’s a convergence of evidence from independent studies, reinforcing each other.
  • Scientific consensus:
    • Clarify that scientific consensus isn’t about eliminating all dissent but about establishing a robust body of evidence that supports a particular conclusion.
    • Differentiate between healthy scientific skepticism, which drives progress, and denialism, which ignores or distorts evidence.
    • Explain that the remaining small percentage of scientists that may not agree with the consensus, often do not have the same level of expertise in climate science as the much larger percentage of scientists who do agree.
  • Dangers of misrepresentation:
    • Explain how false balance creates a “manufactured controversy,” misleading the public into believing that the science is unsettled when it’s not.
    • Point out that this misrepresentation can have serious consequences, delaying or hindering action to address climate change.
    • The media has a duty to not only report the news, but to report what the facts are.

Addressing the “demand for equal air time”

  • The burden of proof:
    • Stress that those who challenge the established consensus have a responsibility to provide credible, peer-reviewed evidence to support their claims.
    • Explain that unsubstantiated opinions or cherry-picked data do not hold the same weight as comprehensive scientific studies.
  • The importance of context:
    • When reporting on dissenting views, journalists must provide context, explaining the level of scientific consensus and the credibility of the sources.
    • Clearly distinguish between established science and fringe opinions, avoiding language that suggests equal validity.
    • Explain that often, those that are denying the reality of climate change, have a vested interest in doing so, such as those that work for the fossil fuel industry.
  • The role of expert voices:
    • Prioritise the voices of climate scientists and experts who have dedicated their careers to studying the issue.
    • Ensure that dissenting voices are not given undue prominence, especially when they lack relevant expertise.

Journalistic responsibility

  • Objectivity and accuracy:
    • Emphasise that journalistic objectivity doesn’t mean giving equal weight to all viewpoints, regardless of their validity.
    • Journalists have a responsibility to report the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable or politically charged.
  • Public understanding:
    • Highlight the importance of accurate reporting in shaping public understanding of climate change and informing policy decisions.
    • Explain how false balance can lead to public confusion and inaction, hindering efforts to address this critical issue.
  • Credible sources:
    • Journalists must always source information from well -stablished scientific sources, and not from social media posts and unverified websites.

In summary:

The media’s role in reporting climate change is not to simply present opposing views, but to accurately reflect the scientific consensus. By prioritising accuracy and context, journalists can help the public understand the urgency of the climate crisis and make informed decisions.

Graphic for the Q&As on MHM training modules

  1. Question: What is “false equivalence” or “false balance” in the context of climate change reporting, and why is it problematic?
    • Answer: False equivalence or false balance occurs when journalists present differing views on climate change as having equal credibility and value, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus. This is problematic because it misleads the public, creating the impression of a balanced debate where, in reality, there is a strong scientific agreement.
  2. Question: What is the level of scientific consensus regarding human-caused climate change, and how is this consensus supported?
    • Answer: The scientific consensus is nearly 100%, with studies showing that the vast majority of climate scientists agree that human activities are the primary drivers of global warming. This consensus is supported by decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed research, including analysis of ice cores, tree rings, ocean sediments, and climate modelling.
  3. Question: What are some key pieces of evidence that support the claim that climate change is primarily caused by human activity?
    • Answer: Key pieces of evidence include:
      • Global temperature increases since the late 19th century.
      • Record-high atmospheric CO2 levels due to fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
      • Significant ocean warming.
      • Shrinking ice sheets and rising sea levels.
      • Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
  4. Question: Why should journalists prioritise the perspectives of those who adhere to the established scientific consensus on climate change?
    • Answer: Prioritising these perspectives ensures that reporting reflects the factual reality of climate change, allowing the public to make informed decisions based on accurate information rather than misleading “balanced” viewpoints.
  5. Question: What is the responsibility of those who contest the established scientific consensus on climate change?
    • Answer: Those who challenge the consensus have a responsibility to provide credible, peer-reviewed evidence to support their claims. Unsubstantiated opinions or cherry-picked data should not be given equal weight to comprehensive scientific studies.
  6. Question: How has the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) addressed the issue of human influence on global warming?
    • Answer: The IPCC has stated that it is “extremely likely” (95%+ probability) that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century, based on extensive research and analysis.
  7. Question: What are some methods journalists can use to accurately report on climate change while addressing dissenting views?
    • Answer: Journalists should:
      • Provide context about the level of scientific consensus.
      • Clearly distinguish between established science and fringe opinions.
      • Prioritize the voices of climate scientists and experts.
      • Emphasise the burden of proof on those challenging the consensus.
      • Source information from credible scientific sources.
  8. Question: Why is it important for journalists to understand the difference between healthy scientific skepticism and denialism?
    • Answer: Healthy skepticism drives scientific progress by questioning and testing hypotheses. Denialism, on the other hand, ignores or distorts evidence to maintain a predetermined belief, which can mislead the public and hinder appropriate action on climate change.
  9. Question: According to the text, what are the dangers of the media misrepresenting the scientific consensus on climate change?
    • Answer: Misrepresenting the consensus can lead to a “manufactured controversy,” misleading the public into believing the science is unsettled, which can delay or hinder action to address climate change.
  10. Question: What is the core issue that journalists must remember when reporting on climate change, beyond simply balancing viewpoints?
    • Answer: The core issue is upholding journalistic integrity in the face of overwhelming scientific consensus. Journalists have a responsibility to report the truth accurately, which means reflecting the established science and not creating a false perception of equal validity between established science and fringe opinions.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Climate Change which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

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Related articles

Covering climate change

Climate change – tone and language

Climate change glossary

Lesson: Climate Change

The post Human contribution to climate change first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Covering climate change https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/covering-climate-change/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 10:53:00 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5338 In an era defined by the escalating climate crisis, the role of a well-informed, accurate, and articulate climate change correspondent has never been more critical. 

The post Covering climate change first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image illustrating climate change created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media
Image illustrating climate change created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

In an era defined by the escalating climate crisis, the role of a well-informed, accurate, and articulate climate change correspondent has never been more critical.

These journalists are tasked with informing the public about complex scientific data, policy changes, and the profound impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems worldwide. The following are some of the qualities needed to do the job.

Expertise

An environmental or science correspondent covering climate change will have to have a broad understanding of climate science or policy in order to interpret complex data and policy discussions.

Beyond formal education, proven experience as a journalist is essential, with a track record of reporting on complex issues. A demonstrated understanding of climate science, policy, and related fields is a must.

Experience in data journalism and multimedia storytelling can be a significant advantage, allowing for more engaging and impactful reporting.

Communication

Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills are essential. A climate change correspondent must be able to translate complex scientific and policy information into accessible language for a broad audience.

Strong research and analytical skills are crucial for investigating and reporting on the multifaceted aspects of climate change.

The ability to work both independently and collaboratively is also important, as these journalists often work with scientists, policymakers, and community leaders.

Guides

Some climate correspondents will be working as freelancers – meaning that they are not attached to any particular news organisation.

The European Journalism Centre (EJC) has published ‘A freelancer’s guide to reporting on climate change‘ which offers advice for freelancers reporting on climate change, highlighting the importance of their role in reaching a broader audience and influencing individuals and policymakers. Here’s a summary of the main points:

  • Focus: Break down the broad topic by concentrating on specific areas such as activist groups, government actions, solutions, or climate adaptation.
  • Precision: Be accurate when linking real-world events to climate change, and incorporate personal stories to engage audiences.
  • Human impact: Explore the experiences of those affected by climate change, particularly vulnerable communities and Indigenous peoples, and consider including non-human perspectives.
  • Relatability: Connect environmental issues to everyday events to make stories more relevant to the audience, and explore the intersections of climate change with other areas like food security, health, and income inequality.
  • Critical approach: Challenge existing perceptions, question narratives, and highlight inconsistencies in climate coverage.
  • Scientific understanding: Grasp the scientific basis of climate change, use data effectively, and employ clear language to explain technical details.
  • Safety: Assess and prioritise safety risks when covering sensitive topics.
  • Diversity: Include a wide range of interviewees, incorporate traditional and Indigenous knowledge, and avoid jargon to enhance accessibility and impact.

The final point about avoiding jargon is particularly important when explaining complex issues, as is understanding the frequently used words and terms that relate to climate change.

The organisation Covering Climate Now has produced a helpful guide for journalists covering climate change which is introduced with the words:

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time impacting nearly every aspect of our lives, making it a story for every journalist in the newsroom. Audiences want to better understand climate change, its potential solutions, and what they can do about it. This guide is designed to help do just that. It covers the basics of climate change and provides sample language to help you include climate in your stories.”

Another organisation offering guidance to climate change journalists is World Weather Attribution which has produced an 18-page guide for journalists covering climate change. You can download it in pdf format here. The document is introduced with the words:

“Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, storms and droughts, are becoming more frequent and stronger in many parts of the world as a result of human-caused climate change. However, not all events are becoming more likely, and changes are uneven across the world.

“These events often have widespread impacts on society, including the loss of crops and farmland, destruction of property, severe economic disruption and loss of life. Following an extreme event with severe impacts, a great deal of public interest is generated in its causes. Increasingly, the dominant question is: “Was this event caused by climate change?” This guide is intended to help journalists navigate this question.”

Internews has produced a two-page pdf called ‘Covering Climate Change: A Journalist’s Guide to Science, Stories, and Solutions’ which it introduces as follows:

“Climate change poses significant threats to the health of the planet, ecosystems, and humans. Journalists can raise public awareness about the health impacts by reporting accurately and giving their audience relevant and accessible information. They can help communities prepare for and prevent potential health crises and influence policy makers to take action against climate change.”

Ethical journalism

Covering climate change demands a deep commitment to informing, educating, and explaining complex climate issues to a wide audience. A strong ethical compass and a dedication to journalistic integrity are essential. This includes a commitment to:

Commitment

Ultimately, the most effective correspondents are driven by a passion for addressing the climate crisis and promoting informed public discourse. They possess a deep commitment to informing, educating, and empowering the public to make informed decisions and take action. Their work is characterised by integrity, accuracy, and a dedication to amplifying marginalised voices and holding policymakers accountable.

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The climate journalist

Our planet is facing serious challenges due to climate change, and the role of climate journalists has become incredibly important. They’re more than just reporters; they’re essential guides, helping us navigate a complex and often confusing situation.

Key skills:

  • Deep understanding:
    • It’s not enough to simply report on scientific findings. Journalists need to understand the underlying science, the uncertainties, and how different aspects of the Earth system interact.
    • They must also be able to connect climate change to other important issues, such as economics, politics, and social justice. This requires a broad understanding of various fields.
    • They should be skilled in analysing data and presenting it in a clear and engaging way, using visuals and storytelling techniques.
  • Effective communication:
    • Translating complex scientific information into understandable language is crucial. This involves simplifying without losing accuracy.
    • They must tell stories that highlight the human impact of climate change, while respecting the dignity and agency of those affected. It is important to avoid stereotypical stories.
    • They should encourage critical thinking and open discussions about climate change, challenging misinformation and promoting informed debate.
  • Clarifying complex information:
    • In a world filled with fake news and misleading information, journalists must be vigilant in fact-checking and debunking false claims.
    • They must adhere to high ethical standards, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and impartiality in their reporting.
    • They must also be aware of the variety of cultural impacts, and report with sensitivity.
  • Commitment:
    • While maintaining journalistic integrity, they should be driven by a genuine concern for the planet and a desire to inform the public.
    • Their goal is to empower people to make informed decisions and take action, not to promote a specific political agenda.
    • They must understand the difference between advocating for informed public discourse, and personal advocacy.

In essence, climate journalists are:

  • Highly knowledgeable and capable of critical analysis.
  • Skilled communicators who can make complex information accessible.
  • Ethical and responsible in their reporting.
  • Dedicated to informing and empowering the public.

They act as a crucial bridge between scientific knowledge and public understanding, helping us all work together to address the challenges of climate change.

Graphic for the Q&As on MHM training modules

Questions and answers

Try our 10 questions about the role of a climate change journalist.

1. Why is the role of a climate change correspondent increasingly important today?

Answer:
 Because the escalating climate crisis impacts communities, ecosystems, and nearly every aspect of our lives, making it crucial for journalists to inform the public with accurate, clear, and impactful reporting.

2. What knowledge and expertise should a climate change journalist have?

Answer:
 They should have a broad understanding of climate science and policy, experience in journalism, and ideally skills in data journalism and multimedia storytelling to interpret and present complex information effectively.

3. Why are strong communication skills essential for climate journalists?

Answer:
 Because they must translate complex scientific and policy information into clear, relatable stories that are accessible to a broad audience while maintaining accuracy.

4. What is one resource available for freelance climate journalists, and what does it offer?

Answer:
 The European Journalism Centre’s guide, “A Freelancer’s Guide to Reporting on Climate Change,” offers tips on focusing coverage, connecting stories to human impacts, ensuring accuracy, and considering safety and diversity in storytelling.

5. What ethical principles should guide climate change journalism?

Answer:
 Ethical climate journalists must fact-check rigorously, ensure accuracy, avoid false balance, recognise and deal with bias, maintain impartiality, combat misinformation, use appropriate language, and employ correct terminology.

6. How can climate journalists make complex scientific information relatable to audiences?

Answer:
 By simplifying scientific concepts without sacrificing accuracy, connecting climate issues to everyday life, exploring human impacts, and using personal stories and multimedia to engage audiences.

7. What is ‘false balance’ in climate reporting, and why should it be avoided?

Answer:
 False balance is giving equal weight to fringe opinions that contradict scientific consensus, which misleads audiences about the reality of climate change. Journalists must reflect scientific facts, not promote misinformation.

8. What role does data journalism play in covering climate change?

Answer:
 Data journalism helps analyse, visualise, and present complex climate data in engaging ways, making abstract concepts like global temperature rise or carbon emissions understandable and impactful for audiences.

9. How should climate journalists handle misinformation and disinformation?

Answer:
 They should be vigilant in fact-checking, debunk false claims, rely on credible sources, and educate their audience to distinguish facts from misleading information.

10. What drives the best climate change journalists in their work?

Answer:
 A deep commitment to informing the public, promoting informed debate, amplifying marginalised voices, holding policymakers accountable, and helping society understand and act on the climate crisis while maintaining integrity and impartiality.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Climate Change which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

Graphic for a Media Helping Media Lesson Plan

Related articles

Human contribution to climate change

Climate change – tone and language

Climate change glossary

Lesson: Climate Change

The post Covering climate change first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Climate change – tone and language https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/climate-change-tone-and-language/ Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:53:02 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5327 Climate change is a complex and urgent story, demanding careful consideration of tone and language from the journalists covering the issue. 

The post Climate change – tone and language first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of a journalist reporting on a climate change rally created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media
Image of a journalist reporting on a climate change rally created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

Climate change is a complex and urgent story, demanding careful consideration of tone and language from the journalists covering the issue.

Journalists bear a responsibility for conveying the science, the impacts, and the potential solutions of climate change accurately without resorting to alarmism or complacency.

Here’s a guide to navigating this crucial balance:

Prioritise accuracy and nuance:

  • Avoid hyperbole and sensationalism: While the stakes are high, exaggerated language can undermine credibility and foster distrust. Stick to verifiable facts and data.
  • Acknowledge uncertainty: Science is a process of refinement. When dealing with climate projections, clearly differentiate between established consensus and areas of ongoing research. Use phrases such as “scientists project” or “models suggest” to convey appropriate levels of certainty.
  • Define technical terms: Climate science is rife with jargon. Explain terms such as  “carbon neutrality,” “RCP scenarios,” and “climate feedback loops” in clear, accessible language. See our Climate change glossary. See our Climate change glossary.
  • Represent diverse perspectives: While scientific consensus on the reality and severity of climate change is overwhelming, acknowledge the existence of differing viewpoints within the scientific community and among policymakers. However, avoid false balance by giving undue weight to fringe theories. See our article on ‘False balance and false equivalence’.

Strike a balance between urgency and hope:

  • Convey the gravity of the situation: Don’t shy away from reporting on the real and devastating impacts of climate change, from extreme weather events to sea-level rise.
  • Highlight solutions and those working for change: Focus on stories of innovation, resilience, and action. Showcase individuals, communities, and organisations working to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
  • Frame the story as a collective challenge: Emphasise the shared responsibility of addressing climate change, fostering a sense of community and encouraging collaborative action.
  • Avoid apocalyptic language: While the risks are significant, framing the climate crisis as an inevitable apocalypse can lead to apathy and disengagement. Instead, focus on the potential for change and the importance of immediate action.

Choose language carefully:

  • Move beyond “climate change”: Consider using more specific terms such as “climate crisis,” “climate emergency,” or “global heating” when appropriate, to reflect the urgency of the situation.
  • Humanise the story: Focus on the human impacts of climate change, telling the stories of individuals and communities affected by extreme weather events, displacement, and resource scarcity.
  • Avoid language that normalises inaction: Phrases such as “business as usual” or “inevitable consequences” can create a sense of fatalism. Instead, emphasise the agency of individuals and institutions to effect change.
  • Be mindful of the emotional impact of language: Words such as “catastrophe” or “disaster” can be triggering for some audiences. Consider using more nuanced language that conveys the severity of the situation without causing undue alarm.
  • Use respectful language: avoid terms that could be seen as demeaning or othering to those affected by climate change, especially those from vulnerable communities.

Consider your audience:

  • Tailor your language and tone to your audience: A scientific journal will require a different approach than a general-interest news outlet.
  • Be mindful of cultural and regional differences: Climate change impacts and responses vary across different regions and cultures.
  • Avoid alienating your audience: Use language that is inclusive and accessible to a wide range of readers.

In conclusion, reporting on climate change demands a delicate balance. By prioritising accuracy, nuance, and responsible language, and avoiding adverbs and adjectives, journalists can play a crucial role in informing the public, fostering understanding, and inspiring action.

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  1. Prioritising accuracy and nuance: 
    • Data integrity and source verification:
      • Beyond simply “verifiable facts,” journalists must scrutinise data sources. Consider the provenance of data, the methodologies used, and potential biases.
      • Utilise peer-reviewed scientific studies as primary sources. Understand the difference between a pre-print publication and a peer reviewed one.
      • Employ data visualisation tools responsibly, ensuring they accurately represent the underlying data and avoid misleading interpretations.
      • Be transparent about the limitations of data and models.
    • Acknowledging uncertainty: 
      • Explain the range of uncertainty in climate projections, acknowledging that models are tools, not crystal balls.
      • Discuss the factors that contribute to uncertainty, such as feedback loops, future emissions scenarios, and natural variability.
      • Distinguish between short-term climate variability and long-term climate trends.
      • Explain the difference between weather and climate.
    • Defining technical terms:
    • Representing diverse perspectives: 
      • While avoiding false balance, explore the social, economic, and political dimensions of climate change.
      • Include perspectives from marginalised communities, indigenous groups, and developing nations, who are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
      • Investigate the role of vested interests and disinformation campaigns in shaping public opinion.
      • When reporting on those who deny the reality of climate change, report on who funds their research, and the history of their research, and how it has been debunked.
  1. Striking a balance between urgency and hope: 
    • Conveying the gravity of the situation: 
      • Report on the human cost of climate change with empathy and sensitivity, avoiding sensationalism.
      • Document the lived experiences of those affected by extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other climate impacts.
      • Investigate the systemic inequalities that exacerbate climate vulnerability.
      • Report on the economics of climate change, and the cost of inaction.
    • Highlighting solutions and agency: 
      • Showcase innovative solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
      • Profile individuals and communities leading the way in climate action.
      • Investigate the role of policy and governance in driving climate solutions.
      • Explain the different types of carbon offsetting, and their efficacy.
    • Framing the story as a collective challenge:
      • Emphasise the interconnectedness of climate change and other global issues, such as poverty, inequality, and public health.
      • Promote a sense of shared responsibility and collective action.
      • Highlight the importance of international cooperation and multilateralism.
    • Avoiding apocalyptic language: 
      • Focus on the potential for transformative change, emphasizing the agency of individuals and institutions.
      • Explore the concept of climate resilience and adaptation, highlighting strategies for building more sustainable and equitable societies.
      • Report on the progress being made in climate negotiations, and the potential for future agreements.
  1. Choosing language carefully: 
    • Moving beyond “climate change”:
      • Use specific terms such as “global heating,” “climate crisis,” or “climate breakdown” when appropriate, to convey the urgency of the situation. See our ‘Glossary of climate change words and terms‘.
      • Contextualise climate change within broader environmental and social issues.
    • Humanising the Story: 
      • Tell the stories of individuals and communities affected by climate change, focusing on their resilience and those working for change.
      • Use personal narratives to illustrate the human impacts of climate change.
      • Report on the mental health impacts of climate change.
    • Avoid language that normalises inaction: 
      • Challenge the assumption that climate change is an inevitable consequence of progress.
      • Expose the vested interests that perpetuate inaction.
      • Promote a sense of urgency and accountability.
    • Being mindful of the emotional impact: 
      • Use language that is both accurate and sensitive, avoiding triggering or alienating language.
      • Provide resources and support for audiences who may be experiencing climate anxiety or grief.
    • Using respectful language:
      • Avoid language that blames victims of climate change.
      • Be aware of the historical context of climate change, and the role of colonialism and industrialisation.
  2. Considering your audience: 
    • Tailoring language and tone: 
      • Adapt your language and tone to the specific audience you are addressing.
      • Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon and technical terms.
      • Consider the cultural and linguistic background of your audience.
    • Being mindful of cultural and regional differences: 
      • Recognise that climate change impacts and responses vary across different regions and cultures.
      • Include diverse voices and perspectives in your reporting.
      • Avoid imposing Western perspectives on other cultures.
    • Avoiding alienating your audience: 
        • Use inclusive language that avoids polarising or alienating audiences.
        • Focus on shared values and common ground.
        • Promote dialogue and collaboration.

By embracing these principles, journalists can play a crucial role in informing the public, fostering understanding, and inspiring action on climate change.

Graphic for the Q&As on MHM training modules

Questions and answers

    1. Question: Why is it important for journalists to avoid hyperbole and sensationalism when reporting on climate change?
      • Answer: Exaggerated language can undermine credibility and foster distrust among the audience. Sticking to verifiable facts and data ensures that the information is accurate and reliable.
    2. Question: How should journalists handle the inherent uncertainties in climate science
      • Answer: Journalists should clearly differentiate between established consensus and areas of ongoing research. They should use phrases such as “scientists project” or “models suggest” to convey appropriate levels of certainty, and explain the factors that contribute to uncertainty.
    3. Question: What is the journalist’s role in making complex climate science accessible to the public?
      • Answer: Journalists should define technical terms clearly, using glossaries, explainer articles, analogies, and real-world examples. They should also consider using interactive graphics and videos to illustrate climate processes, and explain the meaning of terms like the IPCC, COP and NDCs.
    4. Question: How can journalists ensure they represent diverse perspectives on climate change without creating false balance?
      • Answer: While acknowledging differing viewpoints, journalists must avoid giving undue weight to fringe theories. They should focus on the overwhelming scientific consensus while also exploring the social, economic, and political dimensions of climate change, including the perspectives of marginalized communities.
    5. Question: What is the importance of highlighting solutions and agency when reporting on climate change?
      • Answer: Focusing on stories of innovation, resilience, and action can inspire hope and empower audiences to take action. Showcasing individuals, communities, and organizations working to mitigate and adapt to climate change can demonstrate that positive change is possible.
    6. Question: Why should journalists avoid apocalyptic language when reporting on the climate crisis?
      • Answer: Framing the climate crisis as an inevitable apocalypse can lead to apathy and disengagement. Instead, journalists should focus on the potential for transformative change and the importance of immediate action.
    7. Question: What are some examples of language that journalists should use to convey the urgency of climate change?
      • Answer: Journalists can use specific terms such as “global heating,” “climate crisis,” or “climate breakdown” when appropriate. They should also contextualize climate change within broader environmental and social issues.
    8. Question: How can journalists humanise the climate change story?
      • Answer: By focusing on the human impacts of climate change, telling the stories of individuals and communities affected by extreme weather events, displacement, and resource scarcity. They should also report on the mental health impacts of climate change.
    9. Question: Why is it important for journalists to be mindful of the emotional impact of their language?
      • Answer: Words such as “catastrophe” or “disaster” can be triggering for some audiences. Journalists should use language that is both accurate and sensitive, and provide resources and support for those experiencing climate anxiety or grief.
    10. Question: How should journalists tailor their reporting to different audiences?
      • Answer: Journalists should adapt their language and tone to the specific audience they are addressing. They should use clear and concise language, avoid jargon, consider cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and avoid alienating their audience.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Climate Change which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

Graphic for a Media Helping Media Lesson Plan

Related articles

Human contribution to climate change

Covering climate change

Climate change glossary

Lesson: Climate Change

The post Climate change – tone and language first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Climate change glossary https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/climate-change-glossary/ Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:08:32 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5317 The following is a list of some of the common climate change terms used by scientists, environmental agencies, governments, activists, and journalists.

The post Climate change glossary first appeared on Media Helping Media.

]]> Image of a climate change rally created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media
Image of a climate change rally created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

The following is a list of some of the common climate change terms used by scientists, environmental agencies, governments, activists, and journalists.

This short glossary has been compiled from various sources including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Climate dictionary‘. For a much longer list you might want to consider browsing the USA Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) lengthy list.

We have edited the definitions in order to shorten them and, hopefully, make them easier to understand.

The glossary contains words and phrases that journalists will need to understand in order to cover climate change clearly and accurately. We have published it as a reference documents for any journalists reporting on environmental issues.

Adaptation: Adjusting to climate change impacts (e.g., building flood defences).

Afforestation vs. reforestation: Reforestation replants forests, afforestation creates new ones.

Anthropogenic: Caused by humans.

Blue economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources.

Carbon capture: The process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or emissions sources and storing it to prevent its release and mitigate global warming.

Carbon credits: Tradable certificates that represent the removal or reduction of one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent greenhouse gas.

Carbon footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases released by an individual or organisation.

Carbon markets: Trading schemes for carbon credits.

Carbon neutrality: Signifies achieving a balance between emitting carbon dioxide and removing it from the atmosphere, so the net amount added is zero.

Carbon removal: The processes that extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in long-term reservoirs, aiming to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases.

Carbon sink: Natural reservoirs that absorb carbon dioxide (e.g., forests, oceans).

Climate action: Any measures taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Climate change: The long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

Climate crisis: The serious problems caused by climate change, including extreme weather, sea-level rise, and ecosystem damage.

Circular economy: Minimising waste and pollution.

Climate finance: Funding climate action.

Climate impacts: The observable consequences of altered climate patterns, such as increased frequency of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changes in ecosystems.

Climate justice: Fair distribution of responsibility and impacts related to climate change.

Climate overshoot: Temporarily exceeding climate targets.

Climate security: Managing climate-related risks to peace.

Climate mitigation: Actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of climate change.

Climate model: A computer simulation of the Earth’s climate system used to predict future climate change.

Decarbonisation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Deforestation: The clearing of forests for other land uses, such as agriculture or development.

Ecosystems: Complex communities of living organisms and their physical environments that are being disrupted and altered by rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other climate-related impacts.

Ecosystem damage: The negative alteration or destruction of the natural components and functions of an ecological system.

Ecological systems: Interconnected communities of living organisms and their physical environments, which are being disrupted by rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and other climate-related changes.

Emission: The release of a substance, such as a gas or pollutant, into the environment.

Extreme weather: Weather events that are significantly different from typical weather patterns, often characterised by unusual severity or intensity.

Feedback loops: Changes that reinforce themselves, such as melting ice leading to more warming.

Fossil Fuels: Non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

Gas emissions: The release of gases into the atmosphere, particularly those that contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Global warming vs. climate change: Global warming is the rise in Earth’s temperature; climate change includes broader changes such as extreme weather.

Green jobs: Jobs that support environmental protection.

Greenhouse effect: The process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet.

Greenhouse gases: Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane trap heat, causing global warming.

Impacts: The effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.

Indigenous knowledge: Utilising traditional knowledge for climate solutions.

Loss and damage: Addressing unavoidable climate impacts.

Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., renewable energy).

Nature-based solutions: Using ecosystems to address climate change (e.g., reforestation).

Natural components: The Earth’s systems, such as oceans, forests, and ice caps, that are being altered by rising temperatures and changing weather patterns, impacting their ability to regulate the climate.

Natural reservoirs: Environments such as forests, oceans, and wetlands that store carbon, and their health is crucial for regulating the Earth’s climate.

Net zero: Balancing greenhouse gas emissions with removals.

Ocean resources: The ocean’s vital roles in absorbing carbon dioxide and heat, and the marine ecosystems that are impacted by rising temperatures and acidification.

Paris agreement: An international agreement on climate change adopted in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Precipitation patterns: The changes in the amount, timing, and distribution of rainfall and snowfall, which are being altered by rising global temperatures, leading to increased variability and more extreme events like floods and droughts.

RCP scenarios: A representative concentration pathway (RCP) is a possible future climate outcomes based on varying concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Reforestation: The process of replanting trees in areas where forests have been cleared.

Regenerative agriculture: Farming that restores soil health.

Renewable energy: Energy from natural sources (e.g., solar, wind).

Resilience: Building the capacity to withstand climate impacts.

Rewilding: Restoring ecosystems.

Sea-level rise: The increase in the average global sea level due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and the expansion of seawater as it warms.

Tipping points: Irreversible changes, such as melting ice sheets.

Vulnerability: The degree to which a system is susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Weather vs. climate: Weather is short-term, climate is long-term averages.

Weather events: More frequent and severe occurrences of phenomena such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms.

Weather patterns: The long-term trends and variations in atmospheric conditions, which are being altered by rising global temperatures and increased greenhouse gas concentrations, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

This glossary is by no means exhaustive, but it provides a basic overview of some of the most common terms used in discussions of climate change. It’s important to note that the meanings of some of these terms can vary depending on the context.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Climate Change which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

Graphic for a Media Helping Media Lesson Plan

Related articles

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Climate change – tone and language

Lesson: Climate Change

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]]> Journalism, trauma and stress https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/journalism-trauma-and-stress/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:49:06 +0000 https://mediahelpingmedia.org/?p=5278 Journalists often witness challenging and traumatic events which can have a profound impact on the individual, their reporting, the victims, and the audience. We look at the help available for dealing with stress and trauma.

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Image of a journalist covering a traumatic incident created using Imagen 3 by Media Helping Media

Journalists often witness challenging and traumatic events which can have a profound impact on the individual, their reporting, the victims, and the audience. We look at the help available for dealing with stress and trauma.

Whether covering natural disasters, conflicts, or personal tragedies, journalists are often exposed to stories that can affect their mental as well as physical well-being.

Recognising and addressing the potential for trauma and stress is crucial for maintaining both professional integrity and personal health.

The problem

In this piece we look at how journalists cope with the emotional, mental, and sometimes physical pressure. And how post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is increasingly affecting journalists and journalism.

The sheer volume of traumatic encounters within journalistic work means that many journalists experience work-related trauma. Some endure repeated, cumulative exposure, accumulating a lifetime of harrowing experiences.

For a long time, the notion that journalists could experience lasting harm from their reporting was dismissed. Their exposure to disturbing scenes and material was considered a routine occupational hazard, and they were expected to be emotionally robust.

This prevented journalists from openly discussing the potential effects of their work, as doing so was seen as a sign of weakness. Some journalists feared that admitting they had suffered trauma and stress would damage their careers and mean that they were no longer sent to cover the top stories. “Toughen up”, might have been a common response to a journalist voicing concerns about what they had seen and heard.

Causes of stress

Organisations such as the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma challenged that concept. The study on the impact of trauma on journalists lists common events that can cause trauma and stress as:

  • Automobile accidents
  • Fires
  • Executions
  • Murders
  • Mass casualties
  • Wars
  • Disasters
  • Exposure to user generated content

Increased awareness

As awareness of PTSD in journalism increases, training is needed at the management, newsroom, and reporter level to help all involved in the newsgathering process understand the seriousness of the possible impact of trauma on the individual.

The challenge facing those training journalists is to:

  • Make journalists aware that PTSD is a real thing and could happen to them.
  • Help them identify in advance the kinds of situations that could lead to trauma.
  • Teach them avoidance skills.
  • Give them coping mechanisms for after the event.
  • Encourage them to be compassionate and to recognise and help colleagues who are showing signs of PTSD.
  • Educate all levels of newsroom management of the need to support and help colleagues who suffer from PTSD.

Guidelines

The UK’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued guidelines on the impact of PTSD on journalists.

The NUJ says that it isn’t just in conflict zones that media workers witness frightening images or deal with people experiencing traumatic events. Journalists can also be confronted with upsetting and dark situations watching footage on social media, covering a train crash or interviewing sexual abuse survivors.

Signs of stress

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has a ‘security guide’ for journalists with the title ‘Covering the News in a dangerous and changing world’ where it looks at the signs of stress and how journalists can adopt coping mechanisms.

The CPJ says the signs are often subtle. A journalist may seem more anxious, irritable, withdrawn, numb, depressed, sad, or angry, and the emotions may be either sustained or fluctuating.

“Physical symptoms can include sleep or eating disorders, a rapid heartbeat, sweating, panic attacks, headaches, nausea, and chest pain. Strained personal and work relationships are often common. So is alcohol or drug abuse. Other signs may include an abnormally intense focus on one’s work, as if one is trying, as with other compulsive behaviours, to avoid uncomfortable feelings.”

Control measures

The BBC has set out guidelines for its journalistic staff when “covering events such as war, disasters and civil unrest“. The guidelines look at what could go wrong and set out control measures as well as what to look out for and what to do about it, including:

  • Acknowledge what’s happened
  • Sleep and eat well and take exercise
  • Keep to routines where possible
  • Talk it over with colleagues, a partner or a trusted friend if they are comfortable doing so
  • If you’d rather not talk it may help to write down what you feel
  • Take time for family and friends
  • Take time to reflect
  • Find things that make you laugh
  • Take care with alcohol
  • Ask for help and support

After the event

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published a 141-page ‘Survival Guide For Journalists’ in which chapter 6 focuses on PTSD. The document suggests that, as the name ‘post-traumatic’ suggests, problems often develop after the event:

  • People who live through horrific events are all affected in some way, including journalists.
  • Many have short-term reactions, which ease as they talk through issues with colleagues or family.
  • Some need more help, often if feelings of helplessness and fear have been suppressed.
  • About a quarter of journalists with extensive experience of conflict and war reporting suffer symptoms of PTSD.
  • Changes are needed to the macho culture that makes journalists try to cope alone.
  • Journalists should routinely debrief with trusted colleagues after hazardous assignments.
  • There should be voluntary access to independent and knowledgeable counselling.
  • Journalists with symptoms need an easy route to treatment.
  • Journalists must be confident they will not suffer loss of position, opportunity or prestige.
  • Local and freelance journalists are at risk of being left without support.

Distressing forms

This exposure to trauma manifests in diverse and distressing forms:

  • Witnessing graphic scenes of accidents, violence, and disasters;
  • Confronting disturbing user-generated content that often bypasses traditional editorial filters;
  • Experiencing threats, harassment, and even physical violence;
  • Engaging in the emotionally taxing work of fact-checking and interviewing trauma survivors.

These experiences can trigger a cascade of psychological impacts, from acute stress and anxiety to the debilitating effects of PTSD.

Symptoms

Symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper-vigilance can become a persistent burden, while trauma and moral and ethical issues erode a journalist’s sense of self and professional integrity.

  • Vivid flashbacks. These are intense, realistic re-experiences of the traumatic event, as if it were happening again in the present moment, often accompanied by strong emotional and physical reactions.
  • Intrusive thoughts or images. These are unwanted and distressing thoughts or mental pictures related to the trauma that repeatedly enter the mind, causing significant distress and disruption.
  • Nightmares. These are disturbing dreams that often replay or symbolise the traumatic event, leading to sleep disturbances and increased anxiety upon waking.
  • Constant anxiety. This involves a persistent feeling of worry, unease, or fear, often related to the trauma, that can significantly impact daily functioning and well-being.
  • Physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling. These are  symptoms that mirror the body’s response to the original trauma, re-experiencing the physical distress associated with the event.
  • Alertness or feeling on edge. This hyper-vigilance involves a heightened state of awareness and reactivity to the environment, making the person feel constantly threatened or unsafe.
  • Disturbed sleep or a lack of sleep. This insomnia or interrupted sleep patterns are common due to the intrusive thoughts and anxiety, preventing the person from achieving restful sleep.
  • Finding it hard to concentrate. This cognitive impairment involves difficulty focusing, remembering, or making decisions, impacting the person’s ability to perform tasks and maintain attention.

It can often be some time after an event that a journalist experiences the symptoms of PTSD. Certain triggers can cause flashbacks. These triggers can be sensory experiences, such as sounds or smells, or emotional situations, that remind the individual of the traumatic event, thus setting off the symptoms.

The signs of trauma:

  • Emotional symptoms:
    • Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks.
    • Persistent feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt.
    • Emotional numbness or detachment.
    • Increased anxiety and fear.
    • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Physical symptoms:
    • Sleeplessness or nightmares.
    • Physical reactions such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, or nausea.
    • Increased irritability or jumpiness.
  • Behavioural changes:
    • Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event.
    • Social withdrawal.
    • Changes in eating habits.
    • Increased substance use.

Taking action:

  • Personal strategies:
    • Prioritise self-care: adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
    • Engage in mindfulness or meditation to manage stress.
    • Seek professional counselling or therapy when needed.
    • Debrief after difficult assignments with trusted colleagues.
    • Establish and maintain strong social support networks.
    • Recognise and validate your emotional responses.
  • Organisational responsibilities:
    • Provide comprehensive trauma awareness training.
    • Offer confidential access to mental health resources.
    • Foster a supportive and open communication environment.
    • Implement clear protocols for managing traumatic content.
    • Facilitate debriefing sessions and peer support groups.
    • Ensure managers are trained to recognise and respond to signs of distress.
    • Be aware of legal obligations to protect employee mental health.

Dealing with traumatised employees can be expensive and there may not always be funds to hire qualified experts. In these circumstances supportive colleagues and volunteers can do much to help. Compassion and communication are even more important than money.

Ethical issues

The Dart Center study on trauma also talks of trauma having an impact on a journalist’s professional ethics or ‘moral compass’, leading to ‘negative beliefs about self, others, and the world’ following a traumatic event.

Media Helping Media (MHM) has several resources that look at the ethical issues faced by journalists. Many are thrust to the foreground at a time of trauma and stress.

Journalists operate within a framework of ethical principles that guide their work and shape their impact on society. Severe trauma can have an impact on all that a journalist holds dear – their editorial values and ethics.

Editorial ethics are paramount, ensuring that journalism serves the public good by providing robust, in-depth reporting that empowers citizens to make informed decisions. As the Dart Centre study suggested, journalists rely on their ‘moral compass’ which can, in some cases, be damaged by trauma.

Fairness dictates that journalists explore all sides of an issue, report findings accurately, and avoid allowing personal feelings to influence their work. But operating fairly in a traumatic fast-moving news environment is challenging.

Verifying facts to ensure accuracy is also a challenge in a war situation or when reporting on a natural disaster. Being able to offer all sides a right of reply is not always possible. Respecting privacy is also a challenge where privacy no longer exists and where journalists expect to treat individuals with dignity and avoid unwarranted intrusions into their personal lives.

The essential editorial ethics that underpin normal journalism are tested, not as values, but as practical realities in a traumatic situation.

Victims and audience

Investigations must be justified by public interest, not personal motives, and sensitive situations, such as reporting on suffering or using graphic material, demand careful consideration of the potential impact on individuals and their families.

The impact of journalistic work extends far beyond the individual journalist, reaching the victims of trauma and the wider audience. Invasive or sensationalised coverage can re-traumatise victims, compounding their suffering.

Extensive exposure to traumatic media, particularly in the age of instant digital dissemination, can also increase stress and anxiety within the public. Ethical reporting, characterised by fair, objective, impartial, information, and a deep respect for human dignity, is crucial for mitigating these effects and upholding the public service role of journalism.

In conclusion, the inherent exposure to trauma in journalism necessitates a holistic and proactive approach to mental well-being. By prioritising self-care, fostering supportive work environments, and adhering to ethical reporting standards, journalists can better navigate the emotional challenges of their profession while continuing to serve as vital witnesses to the human experience.

Resources from organisations such as the Dart Center, CPJ, BBC, and NUJ provide invaluable support and guidance, empowering journalists to safeguard their mental health and uphold the integrity of their work.

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Human cost of trauma

Journalists, often positioned as objective observers, are, fundamentally, human beings. They are not impervious to the profound emotional and psychological weight of the stories they tell. To dismiss their exposure to trauma as a mere “occupational hazard” is to strip them of their humanity, to deny the very real impact of bearing witness to the darkest corners of human experience. This denial, historically ingrained in the “macho culture” of journalism, perpetuates a cycle of silence and suffering.

Instead, we must recognise that the act of reporting, particularly in crisis zones or during traumatic events, is a form of secondary traumatisation. Journalists are not simply recording events; they are absorbing them, processing them, and carrying the emotional residue with them. This process can lead to a profound erosion of their sense of safety and security in the world.

Cumulative exposure

The notion of “cumulative exposure” is critical. It’s not just a single traumatic event that leaves a mark; it’s the relentless accumulation of these experiences over a career. Each story, each image, each interview, adds to the emotional burden, creating a weight that can become unbearable. Consider the journalist who covers multiple mass shootings, each time confronting the raw grief of survivors, the stark reality of violence. This is not a series of isolated incidents; it’s a relentless assault on the psyche.

Beyond symptoms

The signs of stress – anxiety, irritability, withdrawal, sleep disorders – are merely surface manifestations of a deeper psychological struggle. Trauma can fundamentally alter a journalist’s worldview, leading to:

  • Existential questioning: “Why did this happen?” “What is the point of it all?”
  • Moral injury: Feeling betrayed by witnessing or being complicit in events that violate deeply held moral beliefs.
  • Loss of empathy or hyper-empathy: Either becoming emotionally numb or being overwhelmed by the suffering of others.
  • Disillusionment with institutions: Questioning the efficacy of justice, aid, or societal structures.

Ethical tightrope

The ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in traumatic situations are profound. How do you report on suffering without exploiting it? How do you maintain objectivity while acknowledging the inherent humanity of those you are covering? How do you balance the public’s right to know with the victim’s right to privacy?

  • The digital age has blurred lines, making it harder to control the distribution of graphic content while user-generated content (UGC) bypasses editorial filters.
  • The pressure to report quickly and accurately can lead to errors and misrepresentations, further traumatising victims.
  • The drive for sensationalism can overshadow the need for responsible and empathetic reporting.

Culture of care

News organisations have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect the mental health of their employees. This goes beyond providing access to counselling; it requires a fundamental shift in organisational culture.

  • Proactive support: Implement regular debriefing sessions, provide trauma awareness training, and create safe spaces for journalists to share their experiences.
  • Leadership from the top: Managers must demonstrate empathy and understanding, recognising that vulnerability is not weakness.
  • Flexible work arrangements: Allow journalists to take breaks or change assignments when needed.
  • Peer support networks: Encourage journalists to support each other and share coping strategies.
  • Legal obligations: Recognise that mental health is a part of workplace safety.

Education and training

Journalism schools and training programmes must prepare aspiring journalists for the psychological realities of the profession. This includes:

  • Teaching coping mechanisms and self-care strategies.
  • Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of PTSD.
  • Providing ethical frameworks for reporting on trauma.
  • Creating a culture of open dialogue about mental health.

Empathy and compassion

Ultimately, journalism is about telling human stories. By acknowledging the humanity of both the subjects they cover and themselves, journalists can create a more compassionate and empathetic form of reporting.

  • Focus on the resilience and strength of survivors, not just their suffering.
  • Give voice to marginalised communities and amplify their stories.
  • Report on trauma with sensitivity and respect, avoiding sensationalism.
  • Recognise that every story has a human cost.

By deepening our understanding of the psychological impact of journalism, we can move towards a more humane and sustainable approach to newsgathering, one that prioritises the well-being of those who bear witness to our world’s most challenging moments.

Graphic for the Q&As on MHM training modules

Questions and answers

1. Why are journalists particularly vulnerable to trauma and stress in their profession?

Answer: Journalists often witness or report on traumatic events such as wars, disasters, accidents, and personal tragedies. This repeated exposure to distressing content, both in the field and through digital media, can severely impact their mental and physical well-being.

2. What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and how does it relate to journalism?

Answer: PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. In journalism, repeated exposure to trauma can lead to PTSD, affecting a journalist’s emotional health, professional performance, and ethical decision-making.

3. List some common traumatic events that journalists might encounter, as highlighted by the Dart Center.

Answer: Events include automobile accidents, fires, executions, murders, mass casualties, wars, natural disasters, and exposure to distressing user-generated content.

4. Why have many journalists historically been reluctant to discuss their trauma or mental health challenges?

Answer: The journalism profession traditionally embraced a “macho culture” where emotional toughness was expected. Discussing trauma was seen as weakness and a potential career risk, with fears of being sidelined from top assignments.

5. What are some emotional and physical symptoms of trauma and stress that journalists might experience?

Answer: Emotional symptoms include anxiety, irritability, sadness, numbness, and intrusive thoughts. Physical symptoms can be sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and increased substance use.

6. What guidelines or support systems have been recommended by media organisations to help journalists cope with trauma?

Answer: Recommendations include offering trauma-awareness training, providing access to counselling, facilitating debriefing sessions, promoting peer support, and ensuring managers are trained to recognise distress signs.

7. How can trauma impact a journalist’s ethical decision-making and professional integrity?

Answer: Trauma can lead to moral injury, emotional detachment, or hyper-empathy, affecting fairness, accuracy, and respect for privacy. It may also challenge their ability to verify facts or maintain objectivity during traumatic reporting.

8. What role should newsroom leadership and organisational culture play in supporting journalists’ mental health?

Answer: Leadership should foster an open, supportive environment by implementing proactive measures like regular debriefings, trauma training, flexible work arrangements, peer support networks, and ensuring mental health is prioritised as workplace safety.

9. Why is it important for journalism education and training programs to address trauma and mental health?

Answer: Preparing journalists for the psychological realities of the profession helps them develop coping strategies, recognise PTSD symptoms, understand ethical challenges, and fosters a culture of empathy, resilience, and compassion in storytelling.

10. How can ethical reporting help protect both victims and the audience when covering traumatic stories?

Answer: Ethical reporting involves fairness, accuracy, respect for privacy, and avoiding sensationalism. This helps prevent re-traumatising victims and reduces audience stress, while preserving journalism’s role in serving the public good with dignity.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Managing Trauma which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.Graphic for a Media Helping Media Lesson Plan

Resources referenced in this article include:

 

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