Australasian Summer, 2007

Update The Dart Centre Australasia newsletter

Understanding trauma & journalism New Australasian DVD Special report On the road with Brett McLeod

F the adage that doctors make the worst patients holds true for other Iprofessions, then journalists should be the worst interview subjects. In fact making the News Media and Trauma DVD has shown me that journalists, and photographers, and camera operators are in fact good interviewees – they’re just a bit shy. Everyone I approached agreed to be interviewed, much to my relief. I sent Peter Harvey, (pictured left), a long screed about Dart, the purpose of the DVD, how important his contribution would be, etc. I must have spent an hour on the email. He shot one back within a few minutes saying “Great, let me know when you want to do it.” That was to be the typical response. OR the past four months, senior GTV9 After recording key interviews in Canberra, There was no scientific method involved reporter Brett McLeod has spent a good Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, Brett’s in selecting subjects. deal of his spare time producing a cross- cross-industry News Media and Trauma DVD F I just picked people I’d worked with industry trauma and journalism awareness is nearing its launch and, he says, he’s more over the years who I felt represented DVD for the Dart Centre Australasia. convinced than ever that such a tool is needed different parts of the industry, with The project grew out of an idea fleshed out by 16 in Australasian newsrooms. experience ranging from 40 years in the senior journalists and newsroom managers from “Across the industry there’s some common industry to just a few months. And most a cross-section of Australian and New Zealand understanding of what needs to be done in were very anxious about appearing on news outlets at the Dart Centre for Journalism and terms of preparing people to do this sort of camera! Trauma’s inaugural Beginning to Make a Real work,” Brett said, “but it’s not often enunciated Is it because we work in a competitive Difference retreat held in Coffs Harbour in April. by experienced staff nor by newer journalists, industry where we fear ridicule from There was consensus at the end of that retreat probably for fear of being seen by their peers our colleagues? Possibly. about a growing need to begin discussions in as ‘too soft’.” I think it’s more to do with the fact these newsrooms about issues around covering traumatic That’s not what it’s about at all, Brett says. news. One way of doing this effectively, all agreed, interviews were about an area that’s very “It’s about doing the job professionally and personal in a very public profession. was to show the stories of news personnel at all turning out a better product without harming We deal with some of the worst events different levels and from a variety of organisations. ourselves or others.” in modern life. We throw ourselves at the This would replicate the successful approach When Brett started to ask cross-industry the Australian Broadcasting Corporation took stories and exhaust every angle we can find. colleagues to participate in this new project, But what happens when we go home? with its excellent in-house training DVD well-known journalists from metropolitan and Continued P2 produced and launched earlier this year (see regional media promptly agreed. Lisa Millar’s story pp4-5). Continued P2

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Introducing Trina McLellan...... page 2 Some new faces in the US...... page 8 Preparing for a hometown disaster ...... page 3 Worth a closer look ...... page 8 Meet Australasia’s 2007 Dart Ochberg Fellow....pages 4-5 Trauma and journalism in Indonesia ...... page 9 Encountering traumatic news the first time... .. pages 6-7 Recent visits/Trauma is not a dirty word ...... page 10 DVD helps newsrooms understand trauma & journalism • • • From P1 Eight appear in the finished News Media and Trauma DVD: • Nine Network senior reporter Peter Harvey • News Limited photographer Renee Nowytarger (The Australian) • former reporter and now 2UE program director Greg Byrne • senior Age reporter Gary Tippet • WIN TV regional Victoria reporter Erin Cassar • Seven News reporter Jess Adamson and cameraman Rob Brown, both from South Australia • senior ABC reporter and former foreign correspondent Philip Williams. Each interviewee spoke openly about issues arising from covering traumatic news stories as well as the ways newsrooms can better prepare people  ON site ... Australian and international news organisations spent more than a fortnight camped out to do this sort of work and to support at a mine in the chilly northern Tasmanian township of Beaconsfield in 2006 documenting desperate their staff while they are doing difficult attempts to rescue two trapped miners after their colleague was killed by an underground collapse. assignments.

From P1 Peter Harvey has covered wars from – before approaching them. And it makes us A common response from those I Vietnam to Lebanon, but an image from better journalists. approached to be interviewed was “I don’t the Sydney morgue in the 1960s is still with And I found we are searching for “the really know much about trauma, I’ve never him. right thing to do” when it comes to dealing covered a war or a disaster or anything”. And there need not be one event that gets with our own trauma. Which is exactly the point: The events that to us. Discussions with colleagues, alcohol, traumatise us need not be large-scale tragedy. Gary Tippet speaks of the “drip, drip, therapy, quiet contemplation – the different They can be the story you cover tomorrow. drip” effect on our psyche when we cover methods we’ve tried are on display. Jess Adamson went through the physical trauma after trauma. The News Media and Trauma DVD isn’t a and personal rigours of reporting the What pleased me about the interviews was self-help tool – no answers are given. The aim tsunami in Aceh, only to find the story that a thread of what is “the right thing to do” is simply to get a dialogue going. was most deeply upsetting had happened when it comes to victims of trauma. I hope those who watch it get as much out metres from her desk. We put ourselves in their shoes – or try to of it as I have in helping put it together.

A vote of thanks

THE Dart Centre for Journalism and in conversations about dealing with stories for journalist, their employing Trauma would like to thank the Nine potential trauma exposure as well organisations and the people they Network – especially Brett McLeod, as ethical and sensitive reporting cover. Paul Webber, Michael Venus and Tony techniques for new journalists. Shepherd and those journalists willing None of this could have happened to tell their stories – for willingly and Along with many working journalists, without the support of Nine in generously supporting the creation of this the Dart Centre believes that raising Melbourne. important teaching tool for newsrooms. these issues and developing skills in how to better deal with the consequences Cait McMahon The News Media and Trauma DVD will of trauma exposure results in better Managing Director, Dart Centre for be instrumental in engaging journalists journalism and, ultimately, better Journalism & Trauma - Australasia

Introducing Trina McLellan • • •

WITH a career in journalism and delivered tertiary journalism courses and, as part of her contribution, she communication spanning 25 years, Trina and worked in communication compiles, edits and designs this McLellan is secretary – and a founding roles in higher education, the public newsletter and its companion online board member – of the Dart Centre for service and private enterprise. She version. She also assists in the delivery Journalism and Trauma - Australasia. has researched the impact of news of training courses, gives guest lectures Currently working at The Courier- reporting on victims and survivors of and tutorials to journalism students Mail in Brisbane as a newspaper traumatic incidents and completed a and co-operates with other Dart sub-editor and occasional online sub- Master of Arts thesis on this research. Centre members on specific trauma editor, Trina has also designed and Her Dart Centre role is voluntary and journalism projects.

2 UPDATE Summer 2007 Preparing for a hometown disaster • • • By Bruce Shapiro* in the cities of Roanoke and Richmond, these journalists discussed what went right and what IT takes a single phone call, a single alert on went badly, as well as the ethical quandaries a police scanner, a single wire-service bulletin and news choices they faced. bearing word of catastrophe to upend the well- And they agreed to go on the record about ordered chaos of a newsroom. lessons learned from covering the Virginia Tech In Minneapolis recently, it was the interstate incident — lessons that would apply not just to highway collapse. Suddenly local print and another university shooting but to any other broadcast journalists tore up their plans for the large-scale catastrophe. coming week, and threw themselves at a horrific A few of their lessons: scene whose basic facts were still far from clear. • Send a message from the top: Take care of It was the same, just a few months ago, for yourself. On a large-scale breaking news reporters in the US state of Virginia. story it makes a difference when top a Though the incident itself was different in newsroom leader — an editor or news Minneapolis — and the body count thankfully director — reminds journalists of the need for lower — the bridge collapse recalls the Virginia sleep, breaks and other self-care steps. This Tech shootings and the intense pressures on isn’t just a matter of occupational health but hometown journalists to: of preserving news judgment and the capacity • get the story right to stay on the story for the long haul. • the shocking and urgent accounts of • Have a trusted editor on scene. The Richmond survivors and witnesses Times-Dispatch sent a highly-regarded desk • the almost instant deluge of national news editor to join reporters on the ground at Virginia teams Tech. The result: better communication, • the certainty that this single event would and a greater willingness by editors back in dominate the lives of local journalists — Richmond to hear reporters’ concerns. and their community — for weeks, months • Trust your news judgment and ethics, and or longer. be strong enough to say no. Some wire- Two months after the Virginia Tech service editors and broadcast producers far shootings, at the invitation of the Virginia Press from the Virginia Tech campus demanded Association, some 60 reporters and editors who intrusive or exploitative interviews. had covered that story gathered to talk privately Whatever the competitive national media about their coverage. may be doing, remember that you must In workshops facilitated by the Dart Center retain the trust of your local community. • Plan ahead: Have a big-story coverage Hot tip • • • strategy. Reporters at both The Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Roanoke Times ONE of the tragic complications of major news agreed it would have made a difference stories can be the serious injury or death of a — on everything from communications to team member covering that incident. deployment of reporters — for their newsrooms Conveying that difficult news to families, to have prepared for being in the middle of a peers and industry colleagues can seem community catastrophe and a national story. daunting. • Don’t chase every detail. Once the national The task can take on an extra level of press lands, rumours and false leads abound. complexity if the injury or death occurs to an Local news teams can and should make their editorial team member working in an overseas coverage decisions and stick to them. or remote location. • Make non-traditional assignments. The Dart Centre for Trauma and Journalism Remember that an education reporter, a - Europe, drawing on the expertise of the business journalist, and an arts writer can London Metropolitan Police and the British bring a fresh eye and perspective to a critical Foreign Office, has an excellent guide available breaking story. A catastrophe is by nature for newsroom managers who find themselves an unconventional event; don’t be trapped confronting this sort of predicament. by conventional beats and expectations. It is packed with useful practical advice and • You are part of this story: Don’t forget what observations, including: it feels like. For local journalists, an event • how best to prepare yourself like the Virginia Tech shootings inevitably • what to do when you get there resonates with family, friends and neighbours. Many reporters in Virginia described their • things to say and, importantly, not to say embarrassment and shame at intrusive and • establishing clear lines of communication unethical national reporters. Remembering • making graceful exits those feelings will ensure more responsible • future meetings coverage of victims and survivors in day-to- • the longer term day news as well as large-scale events. • dealing with overseas deaths * A veteran reporter on human rights, This 11-page booklet can be accessed online criminal justice and related issues, Bruce – at www.dartcenter.org/media/breaking_bad_ Shapiro is the executive director of the US Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. news.pdf – and is best printed out, read now and stored for ready access.

Summer 2007 UPDATE 3 Meet Australasia’s 2007 Dart Ochberg Fellow • • •

 ON the job ... ABC reporter Lisa Millar and news cameraman Craig Berkman on the waterfront in Honiara in October 2006 when they were covering political instability in the Solomon Islands. WHEN experienced Australian Broadcasting just broke down and cried. I literally had to pull Australia. Corporation reporter Lisa Millar was sent to over on the side of the freeway and it took me “Along with (ABC staff development Singapore to cover the hanging of a 25-year-old some time to compose myself. manager) Heather Forbes, we produced a DVD convicted Australian drug trafficker Nguyen “I realised for the first time that (my work) that contained interviews with journalists, Tuong Van at the end of 2005, she had never had affected me and I didn’t really understand tape editors, camera personnel who all shared felt the impact of traumatic exposure. why. personal instances of covering difficult stories. In mid-November this year, Lisa will join “Not long after that I was invited to sit in on “We launched the DVD and an accompanying nine other Dart Ochberg Fellowship winners a focus group within the ABC that was looking training package a few months back and we’re from around the world (see sidebar) who will at a BBC trauma awareness training program progressively rolling it out to colleagues across meet in Baltimore to swap stories and ideas, and I couldn’t help but wanting to say and the country. discuss unexpected fallout from “The reaction has been covering such stories and learn A different take on trauma surprising. It’s had a huge impact more from experts in the field. when it’s been shown to staff in Recently Lisa Millar was talking to ABC foreign correspondent Shane “I’d never even thought of Melbourne, Western Australia, the McLeod during his visit to Sydney from his current base in Tokyo. They the subject before I covered the managing director and the ABC had both covered the hanging in Singapore: “We were reminiscing hanging,” she admits. “I had done Board. about the assignment. He said he felt, for him at least, (doing that lots of big stories, I did police “So many people have never rounds for many years and had assignment) was worse than covering the tsunami – a story of thousands of nameless bodies versus a story of one person on death row. I guess really thought about this area and covered murders, grisly trials and we should be discussing these all of that. the point is that it can be a different story for everyone that might be the trigger – and that’s why I find this subject so interesting. It doesn’t things. “But, after I had spent two necessarily have to be the most gruesome or bloody story you cover “Recently I attended a black tie weeks standing outside a jail that can be the one that affects you long after the story is over.” dinner in Sydney with a number waiting for man to be killed, it of media bosses who, when they was different. The job itself was heard of the project, were very very draining and, two days after interested. returning home to Brisbane, I was driving along know more. “There really hasn’t been this conversation on my day off and heard a radio news bulletin “That was about 18 months ago and I was in the industry before and it’s important that we that discussed his funeral. then asked to be part of our organisation’s have it. “I was surprised that it hit me very hard and I process to create a similar package here in Continued next page

4 UPDATE Summer 2007 In her dreams About this year’s Australasian fellowship Three things Lisa Millar says she would THE Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma Australasia Cait McMahon described Lisa like to see: understands that reporting responsibly and Millar’s commitment to the issue of journalism credibly on tragedy and traumatic events—on and trauma education of her peers both inside • Younger people in newsrooms crime, family violence, natural disasters and and outside her organisation as outstanding. not intimidated about expressing accidents, war and genocide—is among the feelings or their concerns. “This, combined with Lisa’s ability to report greatest challenges facing contemporary on traumatic events with significant sensitivity • More senior people as open as journalism. while still getting the ‘tough story’ placed her possible to this subject, too, so In conjunction with the International Society application above a very competitive group,” they can give and get support. for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), it has she said. • A job where she’d be going to work established the Dart Ochberg Fellowship in “This year was our largest group of applicants two days a week and bringing home order to build a cohort of journalists around and the decision of the judges was a difficult $250,000 a year ... the first two, the world who are better prepared for this task, but the quality of Lisa’s journalism and her she admits, are more do-able! challenge. passion to share her knowledge put her above Each year, the Dart Centre Australasia the rest.” From previous page provides one fellowship to a mid-career This year’s group of 10 fellows will participate journalist who wants to apply knowledge of in a series of special seminars and then attend in “It’s also interesting to see that when people emotional trauma to improving coverage of the International Society for Traumatic Stress begin to talk about it, you start to hear accounts of traumatic events. Studies’ annual conference, the theme of which their earlier encounters with trauma and what they Managing director of the Dart Centre in this year is Preventing Trauma and its Effects. or others have done to deal with those experiences. “You know it’s not about turning journalists into sooks but about extending our careers in healthy ways and going in with a completely The 2007 Dart Ochberg Fellowship winners open mind. There’s so much to discover. • Margarita Akhvlediani, Institute for War and Peace Reporting “We’re beginning to see some changes, but it’s • Donna Alvis-Banks, Roanoke Times, Virginia, US a gradual thing. It will take time. It may even be a generational thing. Most senior staff have been as • Moni Basu, Atlanta Journal-Constitution open to learning more about this as the younger ones • George Hoff, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation have. We’re very lucky at the ABC to have support • James MacMillan, Philadelphia Daily News from the top down for education in this area.” • Michael Marizco, BorderReporter.com During her well-earned trip to Baltimore this • Tara McKelvey, The American Prospect year, Lisa hopes to find out more about what • Lisa Millar, Australian Broadcasting Corporation other journalists are doing and what approaches • Susan Snyder, Philadelphia Inquirer are working best in other news organisations. • John Trotter, freelance “I guess I’m still looking for some answers to For more details about the fellowship winners, see questions that are asked of me from time to time that I find myself still unable to fully answer,” www.dartcenter.org/articles/headlines/2007/2007_08_16.html Lisa explains.

Who this fellowship is named after The Dart Ochberg Fellowship is named in honour of the founder of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Frank Ochberg, M.D. Professor Ochberg founded and secured the funding for the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, served as its first chairman and now its chairman emeritus. He helps journalists understand traumatic stress and he helps traumatic stress experts understand journalists. Also a founding board member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Professor Ochberg is a recipient of their highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He edited the first text on treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and served on the committee that defined PTSD. He was associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health and director of the Michigan Mental Health Department.

 Lisa Millar joins a growing group of Australasian Dart Ochberg Fellows — from left, Gary Tippet, senior writer at The Sunday Age newspaper (2004), Philip Williams, senior ABC reporter (2005) and Melissa Sweet, freelance health journalist and author (2006).

Summer 2007 UPDATE 5 Encountering traumatic news for the first time • • • By Jodie Munro O’Brien opportunity to get a different version of the events own, just talking to them. I was also my own and a fresh story angle from other media. photographer for the day so, after they were IT WAS late July 2000. As I drove the 45 minutes I sat down in the living room with Billy’s mum, comfortable with me, I started moving around and to the small country town, all I could think was step-father, older brother, sister and Billy’s niece. taking photos to go with the story. (I had explained “please don’t let them cry in front of me”. I did not, at first, pick up my notebook. I offered to them first I would also need to take photos). I was a young journalist and I was off on my own my condolences and shared in the shock at what Things I have learned from this sort of work: to interview the family – a mother specifically – had happened to little Billy. I expressed that I did 1. Every family you approach after losing a loved of 12-year-old Billy Huddleston whose murdered not know what they were going through, that I one reacts differently. This is not something you body was found only the night before. could only imagine, how it was unfair. can learn from textbooks. Some families think No one taught us how to handle such a situation I said it gently, compassionately, delicately. I it is outrageous that journalists are approaching in any journalism classes in university. For that apologised for being there at all and for having them so soon. Others are more approachable. matter, I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning this to meet under these circumstances. I offered Again, I was lucky on this one. With families would even be a possibility in our job, let alone them thanks for being courageous enough to who are not quite so willing to talk, they may a regular occurrence (at least for some of us who talk to the media about the situation. say things to you in their grief that aren’t true go on to become police rounds reporters). Again, in this case I was lucky because they about you as a person, or about how horrible it is you are imposing on them at that time. Try Many thoughts went knew it would help find not to take it personally. Don’t dwell on any through my head as little Billy’s killer and ‘Perhaps he thought comments that might hurt your feelings – or I drove – how do I they wanted the world to the feeling you get when you just want explain approach the grieving I had done this before. know what had happened to them that is just not the sort of person you family? Would they be to their son, brother Don’t make that are, it’s just an unfortunate part of your job. mad that journalists were and uncle. I explained I Ultimately, though, be understanding. imposing on them during assumption.’ would like to capture a such a time? How do I get portrait of what type of 2. Use common sense. Of course you’re there the best story out of them kid Billy was. for a story, but don’t just rush in and act like without seeming like I was a heartless person? I took it slow. I commented on how cute you would, say, on a happy pic-story. These are real people with real grief and unexpected When I arrived, some TV reporters were Billy’s 18-month-old niece was as she wandered complications. The fact they’ll talk to you at already at the house. In this case, fortunately, around talking her baby language. Billy adored all so soon is something to be grateful for as, the family was willing to talk because, at this his niece, I was told. Stories and anecdotes about ultimately, it will make your job easier. Do not point, their son’s murderer had not yet been Billy with the baby and other friends started to go in acting your normal, happy self, or in a caught nor even identified. flow forth from the family. What else did he like to do? I asked. I smiled at the right times along seemingly detached, heartless way, like you I introduced myself and listened as the TV with the family, if it was a happy anecdote. are in a hurry (as happened with one of the TV reporters did their interviews. I patiently waited until reporters I saw on this job. It was obvious she it was my turn, and the TV cameras had all left. I let the family have a conversation and I listened intently, making mental notes on what was there to get the story and get out as quick as One of the first things I have learned is that stuff would make the story. I finally picked up possible, and she did not seem to make much some people are often more willing to talk to a my notebook and started taking notes. Only effort to be compassionate). Of course, this newspaper journalist than they are a TV reporter now did I ask more specific questions. TV reporter may simply not have been good who comes in with large, imposing equipment. at handling these situations or unable to handle When did you see him last? What were you, Also, if you have the time, waiting for TV these situations as well as other reporters. Not and he doing? And so on. and other reporters to leave often gives you the everyone is able to handle these stories. The I probably spent a good hour there on my thing to try to remember is that, no matter what you can or can’t handle, be compassionate! 3. If they do cry in front of you, stop interviewing and give them a few minutes. They will usually compose themselves and continue, but do not rush them. 4. Talk to neighbours, especially if the family isn’t talking. It’s a slightly easier way to get a story about the person in question and less emotionally draining on everyone involved. If you are perceived as a reasonable reporter, that will be communicated to the family. 5. Always ask to speak to the closest family member to the victim when you visit a family home. Quite often, the closest person to the victim would be willing to talk but extended family and friends will try to protect them and block requests for interviews. Requests from journalists may never get passed along at all. If the person you want to interview is not at home when you call, come back and try the house again later. When they return, ask to speak to them directly. At the very least, leave your business card, explain that you would like to tell their story about their loved one. 6. Remain neutral during follow-up investigation stories (balance your story with the families’

6 UPDATE Summer 2007 ‘I did not, at fi rst, pick up my notebook. I offered my condolences and shared in the shock at what had happened ... I expressed that I did not know what they were going through, that I could only imagine, how it was unfair.’

side and the investigators’ side). Don’t become straight up. I have remained in touch with a family spokesperson – it’s not your job. Rachel over the years. Unfortunately, it has About this 7. Emotionally remove yourself from the reality become less and less, mainly because of my reporter • • • of the situation as much as possible. These schedule, but, we still exchange emails. If I was difficult stories can be quite depressing. If it still living in the area, I would have started on affects you in any way, try your best to talk a book about the Huddlestons’ experience and JODIE Munro O’Brien graduated about it with a friend or fellow journalist who what has happened to their family since the from Central Queensland University understands the situation you experienced. murder, as their lives have fallen apart. I would and worked for a Rural Press weekly Turn the emotion around to realising how not have known this if I had not stayed in touch. newspaper as a general reporter for a year before travelling to the United grateful you are to have your friends and Whether staying in touch with people you States in late 1998. family in your life around you and who are interview is a good or bad thing, I personally She landed work as a reporter on a still thriving. You cannot bring their loved think is up to the individual. I’ve covered other mid-sized daily newspaper and she ones back, so the best you can do in your job is murders since that were the result of drug wars or extended criminal families. I’ve not really subsequently married a US Marine she’d to write some articles that a) they can keep as a met earlier in Australia. tribute to their loved ones; and/or b) will help kept in touch with these families, as most didn’t want to talk openly for obvious reasons. When he left the service to begin catch a criminal and get them off the streets. a career as a chef, they moved to 8. The unwritten “rule” is that reporters should 9. As much as possible, try to cover every aspect Charlotte, NC, and Jodie was working at not get too close to stories. That needs to be of the case, from start to finish, including every a daily newspaper based about 20mins taken on a case-by-case basis. For me, in these court appearance of the alleged perpetrator, if outside of Charlotte when she began cases, it has varied. In this particular case, possible. That way the family and investigators what’s become a familiar role of police Billy’s mother, Rachel, and I have stayed in get to know you and trust you more if they see rounds reporter. quite close contact. She told me she had gotten and speak to you more often. “I started out as the government to know me better when I spent the time with 10. It’s important to open communication lines reporter and then about six months into her in the beginning. She said she appreciated with young/new journalists before they head it,” Munro O’Brien recalled, “I fi lled in that I checked in with the family often in the out on a “death knock” for the first few times. for the police reporter who was busy beginning – she felt like I cared about finding Share with them positive ways they could and it happened to be a story about a her child’s killer. This of course, besides making try handling grieving families. These new missing child, a 12-year-old boy. Three me feel good on a personal level (which was a journalists, too, may not have had exposure/ days later they found his body. bonus, not a necessity, in this job), led to better training for these interactions and may have “It was my fi rst real ‘cops’ story. I loved and more frequent stories than the rest of the concerns they are reluctant to articulate. I try the adrenaline rush but it was a really sad local media reported. Rachel or her family to share ideas about how to word delicate story. I found you either love this work or members would always think to call me first questions. In the Billy Huddleston situation, you hate it. with any new details, etc., and, if I could not get my editor basically said get out there and find “After I really got into it, this case, I information out of investigators, often a family out about Billy. Perhaps he thought I had done started to ask for this round and other people were, like, ‘thank God’ because member would give me a tip or the information this before. Don’t make that assumption. they didn’t get the assignment. “I don’t know whether it was Learning more about trauma and journalism personality or that I just learned to handle people who’d been in bad THE Dart Centre for Journalism & Trauma has several useful web resources of value to situations but others just couldn’t seem journalists at all stages of their careers, but especially to those new to the industry and to handle that.” students. Here are just some accessible via the main website www.dartcentre.org: Years after her fi rst big traumatic news • Tragedies and Journalists (online version of popular booklet) report from the small town of Oakboro, www.dartcenter.org/articles/books/tragedies_toc.html North Carolina, Jodie and her husband returned to Australia to live, where she • Journalists as First Responders is now a police rounds reporter at The www.dartcentre.org/articles/special_features/fi rst_responders.html Courier-Mail in Brisbane. • Open Letter to Editors and Managers of Australian News Media She is still occasionally in touch with www.dartcenter.org/australasia/open_letter.html Billy’s mother.

Summer 2007 UPDATE 7 Introducing some new faces in the US • • •

AFTER successful terms on the executive committee of the US Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, the president Joe Hight and executive members Penny Owen Cockerell and Dr Elana Newman were warmly farewelled from their roles at the recent annual executive meeting in Washington. Dr Newman has moved from the executive committee to a permanent ex-officio role as the new Dart Center research director. At that executive committee meeting, the executive welcomed several new faces, including president Deborah Nelson, vice- president Beth Frerking, secretary Seamus Kelters, and committee member Donna DeCesare.  NEW faces ... from left, new US Dart Center president Deborah Nelson, new vice-president Deborah Nelson comes to the role of president Beth Frerking and new executive committee member Donna DeCesare. with extensive reporting and educational experience. The Carnegie Visiting Professor at the University of Maryland, she was previously coverage of the spread of Los Angeles gangs in continue her documentation of children affected an investigative reporter and editor in The Los Central America. by armed conflict in Colombia. Angeles Times’ Washington Bureau and, before She is on the faculty of the School of Her photo reportage of US and Latin that, at The Washington Post. She co-authored Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin American gang violence has won national a series of articles in August 2006 based on and a member of the Advisory Board of the and international awards. In 2002, she was declassified U.S. war crimes records from the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. awarded a top prize in the NPPA Best of Vietnam War (see www.latimes.com/vietnam). She was a Dart Center Ochberg Fellow in Photojournalism contest for her photo-essay Her work has won national awards, including 2003 and her photographs have appeared in on Colombia published by the Crimes of War the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative many publications, including The New York online magazine (see www.crimesofwar.org/ Reporting. Times magazine, Life, Newsweek, The Atlantic, colombia-mag/donna.html). She has also reported for The Seattle Times Aperture, DoubleTake and Mother Jones. In other changes at the US Dart and The Chicago Sun-Times. She has produced She is the recipient of fellowships and headquarters, Meg Spratt has become more than two-dozen award-winning series and grants including the Dorothea Lange prize associate director academic programs and Stan investigated a wide range of topics, including (1993), the New York State Foundation for Alcorn has taken up the position of website scientific misconduct, domestic violence, the Arts Photography grant (1996), the Alicia editor. police brutality, juvenile crime, urban blight Patterson fellowship (1997), the Mother Jones And, after six action-packed years and environmental issues. Her national awards International Photo Fund grant (1999), the establishing and growing Dart Europe, Mark include the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Soros Independent Project fellowship (2001). In Brayne is stepping down as director at the end Reporting for a series on HUD’s Indian Housing 2005. she was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to of January. office (see seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/ special/tribal.html). A former president of Investigative Reporters BASED in the United States, the Dart Center’s Executive Committee and Editors and board member of the Fund for is comprised of leading journalists, mental health professionals and educators. Investigative Journalism, she has a law degree The committee guides the Dart Center’s mission through policy formation from DePaul University in Chicago and a and program evaluation and provides global oversight to Dart activities, bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northern including those in Australasia. A full list of committee members is available Illinois University. online at www.dartcenter.org/about/executive.php Beth Frerking is a veteran journalist with more than two decades’ experience as a national reporter, Washington bureau chief and Worth a closer look ••• journalism educator. Most recently, she served  FOR AN Australian take on what New  CATCH up with Kimina Lyall’s new for six years as executive director of the Casey Orleans is really like today, go online – www. website at kimina.com.au and read some of the Journalism Center on Children and Families. theage.com.au/news/in-depth/muckraking- glowing reviews of her book, Out of the Blue: She is also the executive editor of politico.com in-the-big-uneasy/2007/09/01/1188067427 Facing the Tsunami. It really is a gripping, and, most recently, she served for six years 807.html – to read Gary Tippet’s excellent informative read about what can happen when as executive director of the Casey Journalism recent Sunday Age piece “Muckraking in the a journalist finds themself at the centre of a Center on Children and Families. big uneasy”. natural disaster and filling the dual roles of Seamus Kelters is is a television producer for It’s about the Muckrakers – a group of victim and reporter. the British Broadcasting Corporation and co- journalists who are helping to rebuild houses in  SOME simple but important tips about creator of Lost Lives, a highly detailed chronicle New Orleans in their spare time. of the lives of the more than 3600 men, women, covering children and trauma are now available Gary is both a board member of the Dart and children killed in Northern Ireland from via the Dart website – at www.dartcentre.org/ Centre for Journalism and Trauma - Australasia 1966-2000. He joined the BBC as a broadcast quick_tips/children_trauma.html and www. and, as a former Ochberg Fellow, a member of journalist after working as a journalist for the dartcentre.org/articles/books/covering_ the international Dart Society. Irish News newspaper. children_00.html – along with a hyperlink to He visited New Orleans earlier this year educational materials for journalists published Donna DeCesare is a photojournalist with when he also attended a Dart Society meeting by the National Child Traumatic Stress extensive experience covering Latin America in Seattle, Washington. Network. and is well known for her groundbreaking

8 UPDATE Summer 2007 Trauma and journalism in Indonesia • • •

 Harry Bhaskara, a senior editor with The Jakarta Post, front, and journalist Loly Nuria Fitri who is trauma project co-ordinator with Indonesia’s Yayasan Pulih (Trauma Recovery Foundation).

issue is a serious one. We came to realise that, if we care about the good quality of our journalism, we should also care about the condition of journalists. But, we also realise this can be a very difficult task, especially to some stakeholders – like journalists themselves, editors in newsrooms  Ahmad ‘deNy’ Salman, front, and Ignatius Haryanto during the Dart workshop in Jakarta. and media owners. For many journalists, covering risky events Recently, a special three-day workshop was traumatic events – such as terrible accidents, is perceived as prestigious, and potentially held for a small group of journalists in Jakarta social conflicts, earthquakes in some regions influential for their careers. They may be inclined with the assistance of former Tempo journalist and, in Aceh, the effects of the tsunami in to discount the risks in doing such work. and now director of the Institute for Press and December 2004, one of the worst-affected Sometimes journalists can be careless or reckless Development Studies, Ignatius Haryanto. He regions in Southeast Asia, etc. – most don’t reports below on the valuable exercise: when reporting or they may go in unprepared for realise those events can really affect them, the work they will be asked to do. causing traumatic responses and perhaps, in the IT WAS a very rare opportunity for us in Editors in newsrooms often don’t realise what end, affecting the journalism they produce. Indonesia to have a workshop that was, in kinds of effects this type of work may have on Only a small group of journalists have been essence, a special collaboration between health reporters when they cover traumatic events. aware of this issue, largely because so little work practitioners and journalists who have to Of course, it will be of benefit if an editor has has been done to raise this issue in newsrooms. respond to the issue of journalism and trauma. faced similar experiences in the past. In such Besides, most journalists operate in a culture It was indeed a very good workshop which cases, an editor is more likely to accept some where they don’t want to admit that covering such was led by the team at Yayasan Pulih (Trauma unusual behaviour from reporters after they traumatic events causes particular consequences. Recovery Centre) - Jakarta with contributions return from assignments. If our colleagues knew that we were affected by by Dart Centre Australasia managing director If editors don’t have such experience, they an incident, they might start making fun of us, call Cait McMahon, who shared her knowledge may label the reporter as lazy, lacking in us weak, soft, pale, or ‘chicken’. and listened very carefully to the experience of initiative, unenthusiastic, etc. After having this three-day workshop, this group Indonesian journalists in this area. A good editor will understand these difficult of Indonesian journalists is now fully aware this Although Indonesian journalists face many situations, and some will allow time for reporters to relax and recover. It helps if an editor is a good listener, so that Feedback reporters don’t feel alone in these circumstances. With media owners, sometimes it’s even Things this group of 10 participants said they found beneficial: harder to convince them, since they deal with • gathering with other media people “the big issues” – company revenue, efficiency, expanding their networks, etc. ssues such as • the presence of a media-aware psychologist “healthy journalists” may seldom come to mind. • sharing similar ideas about journalism and trauma Therefore, it is important for us to convince them how a good-quality journalism product will • sharing ideas about what can be done next come from healthy journalists or media workers. • the shared understanding that Indonesian journalists face From this perspective, they may see that serious potential threats and, as a result, trauma putting the issue of journalists encountering trauma as a “big issue” they need to address. • realising the absence of explanation about the relationship There is still a long way to go and much between journalists and trauma is across the board at this time homework to be done in the near future. But we • identifying/planning the training that could take place are looking forward to staying in touch with Dart and other institutions that care about this issue. To Dart, especially to Cait, thank you for

Summer 2007 UPDATE 9 Recent Dart Centre Australasia visits • • • IT HAS been a particularly busy period for the Dart meeting held in Washington. Gary Tippet also Britain’s Royal Navy who has been a leader in the Centre for Journalism and Trauma - Australasia, visited Washington for the Dart Society meeting, introduction to the UK’s armed forces and police beginning in August with the important training where he is on the executive. He participated of a system known as Trauma Risk Management visit to Jakarta by the managing director Cait in a Dart Society panel at the University of (TRiM), based on peers supporting each other – has McMahon (see report on page 9). Maryland Journalism School. worked closely with the Dart Centre in Europe. He In September, Cait and Melissa Sweet met Cait and Dart Europe’s Mark Brayne then gave an excellent presentation about TRiM , which with media executives when they visited both visited the Headington Institute in Baltimore. This the Royal Marines use which has been adapted for SBS and SkyNews in Sydney. They also spoke organisation provides psycho-social support for Dart to use when training journalists. Before the to the School of Public Health at the University aid workers around the globe and does valuable end of the ISTSS conference, Cait chaired a Media of Sydney on media and disasters. cross-cultural training and awareness work. Special Interest Group that looked at cross-cultural The Seven Network also requested and had a Then, also in Baltimore, Cait attended the annual issues relating to journalism training and research. briefing after hearing about the work Dart has been International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies In early December, Cait flew to Phnom Penh to doing with news organisations across Australasia. conference along with Lisa Millar. Dart Centre work with a group of Cambodian journalists who will In October, Kimina Lyall and Gary Tippet representatives gave several presentations, including be covering the Khmer Rouge Trials. This training spoke at the Regional Journalism Conference an impressive one by photographer Clarence was at the invitation of Dr Andrea Rubenacker on for the Walkley Foundation on journalism and Williams and others about the special challenges of behalf of Deutsche Welle. Dr Rubenacker is the trauma. Brett McLeod also spoke to a group covering New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina and project manager for DW’s training academy. The of community broadcasters about dealing with the ongoing impact on media who must continue session also involved DW’s Ulrich Kohler, as well as traumatised and distressed interviewees. to cover the story in a climate where the rest of the psychiatrist Dr Sotheara Chhim – Cambodia’s only ISTSS member – who helped facilitate bi-lingual In November, Cait attended the Dart Center country has “tired” of hearing about the disaster. conversations. for Journalism and Trauma’s annual executive Neil Greenberg – the Surgeon Commander in About Update ••• Director: Trauma is not a dirty word • • • Greetings and end-of-year wishes from this edition they will be more skilled at what they will face The Dart Centre for Journalism & of Australasian Update. Over the past year on my during the trials and beyond. Trauma – Australasia is incorporated training travels for the Dart Centre there have been a A focus on trauma needs not be a focus on in Victoria as a non-profit company couple of instances where I have been asked “Why illness – but a focus on healthy resources that limited by guarantee. does the Dart Centre focus on trauma, it makes us can be called upon in the face of the tragedy. all sound like sick journo’s?” It is a good question And research shows that several factors that are It is affiliated with the Dart and one that has challenged me to think seriously within our control enhance resilience: Center for Journalism & Trauma, about both our name and our mission. • Reframe crises as opportunities which is based at the University of I think I understood the answer more clearly last • Accept change as part of life Washington – Seattle. week when I was in Phnom Penh at the invitation • Identify goals & work towards them of Deutsche Welle Akadamie, the training arm of Australasian Update, its electronic • Nurture a positive view of yourself the global German news agency. Together, our role • Keep things in perspective newsletter, is prepared by the was to train a group of journalists in preparation • Continue to learn new things about yourself group’s secretary, Trina McLellan, for the impending Khmer Rouge Trials. All of • Be optimistic on a voluntary basis. these journalists had their own stories, either as • Maintain self care All content queries should be direct survivors of the Khmer Rouge or by having • Sustain social networks and supports extended family members who were survivors. directed to the group’s managing Wishing you all resilience and good health We started the training with a focus on director, Cait McMahon. over the holiday period and looking forward to resilience. First and foremost, journalists – like working together in 2008. Dart Centre for Journalism & the rest of humanity – are a resilient lot. This is Cait McMahon Trauma - Australasia a very important part of trauma training. This Managing Director, Dart Centre - Australasia ABN 65 122 689 132 was followed by education about the effects of trauma and the importance of self care as well as PS: When working with trauma it is important TELEPHONE CONTACT the ethical and respectful treatment of sources. to nurture a sense of humour. This photo 0419 131 947 When trauma training is framed within this context has been suggested to replace the one of me EMAIL CONTACT it hopefully does not send an “illness” message but on the website. What do you think? [email protected] rather one of normalising what are typical human responses to threatening circumstances and, along POSTAL ADDRESS the way, imparting skills for dealing with adversity. PO Box 580 Near the end of the training some journalists Elwood Victoria 3184 were saying: They will be better journalists REGISTERED OFFICE now they have the knowledge acquired over the previous 10 days; now they know how to care for Faculty of Life and Social Sciences themselves, they will be able to stay working in Swinburne University of Technology a job they believe in for longer; their stories will 10th Floor, Business & Arts Building be of a better quality and greater depth now they Swinburne University of Technology know how to interview distressed people ethically John Street, Hawthorn, Victoria and respectfully. The journalists did not leave with a sense of “illness” but with one of excitement that Your Dart Centre Australasia contacts • • • Cait McMahon, managing director [email protected] 0419 131 947 Trina McLellan, secretary [email protected] Gary Tippet, director [email protected] Kerry Green [email protected] Jim Tully [email protected]