The document discusses recommendations for journalists reporting on trauma and military deaths. It provides an overview of the challenges grieving military families face with media coverage. It recommends that journalists treat families with compassion, listen to understand their perspective, and consider the long-term impact of coverage on survivors experiencing trauma. Reporting should avoid sensationalism and include suicide prevention resources to prevent potential copycat deaths.

1. Tragedy assistance program for survivors
MEDIA COVERAGE & TRAUMA SURVIVORS
TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS
800-959-TAPS (8277)
www.taps.org
April 2014
Columbia University

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Overview
•My story
•What grieving military families face
•Recommendations for journalists
reporting on trauma
•Reporting on suicide
•Resources for journalists

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Caught in a Maelstrom
“The media swarmed from
every possible direction.
Surprisingly, not one person
bothered his wife, only my
parents.”
A sister who lost her brother
in Iraq
.

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The Community Also Grieves
A military death is different.
It is viewed as a death for the
nation.
.

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Our Grief is Public - Forever
Arlington National Cemetery
Section 60
.

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Trapped in Stigma
Some families carry stigma
over how or where their loved
one died.
It can be particularly painful
for them to share their
stories. But it can be healing
too.

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Reporting Recommendations
Consider your perspective and how it
might influence the story.
Victim vs. Survivor
Which one are you interviewing?

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Reporting Recommendations
• This is not “just another story.”
• Don’t be afraid to offer your sympathies.
• Take off the “investigative journalist”
mindset.
• Listen. A lot.
• Treat families with compassion.
• Grant extra leeway to families not
accustomed to media attention.

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Reporting Recommendations
• Get the details right.
• Be sensitive around coverage of
anniversaries and birthdays.
• Respect the requests of the family for
interaction with the media.
• Realize that families experiencing
trauma may be under extreme stress.
• It may not be therapeutic for surviving
family members to talk to press.

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Reporting Recommendations
Open your mind to the idea of more than
the stereotypical story.
What is really the
story?

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Reporting Recommendations
• Be careful in what you choose to show.
• Consider the impact on the family. Can
you look them in the eye after the story?
• Give families copies of photos and
videos without charge.
• Categorize photos as “editorial use
only.”
• Zealously guard copyrights for news
photos showing survivors, fallen service
members, or funerals.

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Reporting Recommendations
• Think long-term.
• It takes time to develop trust with a
family.
• Consider how media behavior might be
interpreted by stressed people, who
have never engaged with the media
before.
• Rigorously discuss journalist ethics
related to coverage of the war, the
families of the fallen, and trauma

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Reporting on Children
Review the Dart Center for
Journalism & Trauma’s
recommendations on
interviewing child trauma
survivors.
.

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Media Coverage and Suicide

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Reporting on Suicide
• Families need time to understand.
• Research shows that sensationalized reporting
can contribute to copycat deaths.
• Informative reporting can prevent deaths.
• Avoid describing in great detail the manner used
or the scene of the death.
• Always include prevention and hotline
information.
• You MUST get it right.

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Reporting Resources: Suicide
• Reporting on Suicide
www.reportingonsuicide.org
• Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma – guide
www.dartcenter.org
• Poynter Institute
www.poynter.org
• TAPS
1-800-959-TAPS (8277), www.taps.org (for media)
• Association for Suicide Prevention
www.afsp.org

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Reporting Resources: Trauma
• Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
www.dartcenter.org
• Poynter Institute
www.poynter.org
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
www.taps.org

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Contact Information
Ami Neiberger-Miller, APR, MA
202.588.8277
ami@taps.org
www.taps.org – For Media