British and Australian journalists' experiences of war trauma

Abstract

The 'myth of the hard-bitten journalist' presupposes that news reporters can adequately cope with trauma in conflict or confronting situations. Many journalists, particularly news reporters, are at some time in their career – often frequently so – called to deal with disturbing scenes of violence, death and suffering. At times, these situations can also involve risk to their personal safety. Journalists can therefore have misguided notions that may prevent them from acknowledging symptoms of PTSD, which they are often unconsciously suffering.