Why collective resilience in journalism matters: A call to action in global media development | Intellect Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies
  4. Volume 11, Issue 2
  5. Article
What’s Next for Media Development?
  • ISSN: 2001-0818
  • E-ISSN:

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, global economic downturn, anti-press violence and worsening situation of labour precarity for journalists around the world have led to increased stress, trauma and burnout in the profession, which raises questions at the heart of media sustainability and approaches to media development in a global context. Our study builds on the conceptual framework of professional and collective resilience research to analyse the content of media development work on publicly facing websites of a census of implementing organizations represented on the Center for International Media Assistance website ( = 18). Our findings suggest that donors and other sponsors of media development work should consider making resilience a core component of global programmes in support of media democracy and journalism. Though programmatic agendas in global media development are crowded with multiple goals in response to complex problems, we believe that resilience should be prioritized. This work cannot be done without a nuanced analysis of local causes of emotional distress as well as local understandings of emotional labour and repair. Working with journalists’ support organizations and employers in conducting diagnoses, identifying suitable actions and promoting sustainable practices is imperative. Recommendations and actions need to be sensitive to local conditions, demands and opportunities. While immediate remediation actions are important, it is also important to keep attention on long-term structural matters that cause emotional distress.

© 2022 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00089_1
2022-06-01
2024-04-20
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Akinbobola, Yemisi. ( 2020), Barriers to Women Journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kalmar:: AWiM and Fojo Media Institute;.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Ananthan, Gowri. ( 2017;), ‘ Trauma counseling for journalists: A profession in denial. ’, Media Asia, 44:1, pp. 17–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Barrios, Marta Milena, and Miller, Toby. ( 2021;), ‘ Voices of resilience: Colombian journalists and self-censorship in the post-conflict period. ’, Journalism Practice, 15:1, pp. 1423–40.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Benequista, Nicholas,, Abbott, Susan,, Rothman, Paul, and Mano, Winston. (eds) ( 2019), International Media Development: Historical Perspectives and New Frontiers, New York:: Peter Lang;.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Birkland, Thomas A.. ( 2016;), ‘ Conceptualizing resilience. ’, Politics and Governance, 4:4, pp. 117–20, https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/823. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Buchanan, Marla, and Keats, Patrice. ( 2011;), ‘ Coping with traumatic stress in journalism: A critical ethnographic study. ’, International Journal of Psychology, 46:2, pp. 127–35.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Chadha, Kalyani, and Steiner, Linda. (eds.) ( 2022), Newswork and Precarity, New York:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Chadha, Kalyani,, Steiner, Linda,, Vitak, Jessica, and Ashktorab, Zahra. ( 2020;), ‘ Women’s responses to online harassment. ’, International Journal of Communication, 14:1, pp. 239–57.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Charles, Matthew. ( 2020;), ‘ Re-thinking trauma: Local journalism, peace-building and continuous traumatic stress (CTS) on the violent margins of Colombia. ’, Media, War & Conflict, 15:2, pp. 202–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Chen, Gina Masullo,, Pain, Paromita,, Chen, Victoria Y.,, Mekelburg, Madlin,, Springer, Nina, and Troger, Franziska. ( 2020;), ‘ “You really have to have a thick skin”: A cross-cultural perspective on how online harassment influences female journalists. ’, Journalism, 21:7, pp. 877–95.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Cohen, Nicole S.,, Hunter, Andrea, and O’Donnell, Penny. ( 2019;), ‘ Bearing the burden of corporate restructuring: Job loss and precarious employment in Canadian journalism. ’, Journalism Practice, 13:7, pp. 817–33.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Committee to Protect Journalists ( 2001–21), ‘Home page’, https://cpj.org. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  13. Cueva Chacón, Lourdes M., and Saldaña, Magdalena. ( 2021;), ‘ Stronger and safer together: Motivations for and challenges of (trans) national collaboration in investigative reporting in Latin America. ’, Digital Journalism, 9:2, pp. 196–214.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. DeFraia, Daniel. ( 2015), Between Conflict and Stability: Journalists in Pakistan and Mexico Cope with Everyday Threats, New York:: Committee to Protect Journalists;.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Denckla, Christy A.,, Cicchetti, Dante,, Kubzansky, Laura D.,, Seedat, Soraya,, Teicher, Martin H.,, Williams, David R., and Koenen, Karestan C.. ( 2020;), ‘ Psychological resilience: An update on definitions, a critical appraisal, and research recommendations. ’, European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11:1, https://www.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1822064. Accessed 27 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. DeVex Partnerships ( 2021;), ‘ How to build resilient communities. ’, 28 June, https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/how-to-build-resilient-communities-94134. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  17. Drevo, Susan E.. ( 2017;), ‘ The war on journalists: Pathways to posttraumatic stress and occupational dysfunction among journalists. ’, Ph.D. dissertation, Tulsa, OK:: The University of Tulsa;.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Dugmore, Harry. ( 2022), ‘Endogenous “precarious professionalism” in African Newswork’, in K. Chadha, and L. Steiner. (eds), Newswork and Precarity, London:: Routledge;, https://www.routledge.com/Newswork-and-Precarity/Chadha-Steiner/p/book/9780367523022. Accessed 6 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Dworznik, Gretchen. ( 2006;), ‘ Journalism and trauma: How reporters and photographers make sense of what they see. ’, Journalism Studies, 7:4, pp. 534–53.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Feinstein, Anthony. ( 2013;), ‘ Mexican journalists and journalists covering war: A comparison of psychological wellbeing. ’, Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 5:2, pp. 77–85.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Feinstein, Anthony,, Owen, John, and Blair, Nancy. ( 2002;), ‘ A hazardous profession: War, journalists, and psychopathology. ’, American Journal of Psychiatry, 159:9, pp. 1570–75.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Feinstein, Anthony,, Pavisian, Bennis, and Storm, Hannah. ( 2018;), ‘ Journalists covering the refugee and migration crisis are affected by moral injury not PTSD. ’, JRSM Open, 9:3, https://doi.org/10.1177/2054270418759010. Accessed 6 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Feinstein, Anthony, and Starr, Stephen. ( 2015;), ‘ Civil war in Syria: The psychological effects on journalists. ’, Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 7:1, pp. 57–64.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Feinstein, Anthony, and Storm, Hannah. ( 2017), The Emotional Toll on Journalists Covering the Refugee Crisis, Oxford:: Reuters Institute;, https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/our-research/emotional-toll-journalists-covering-refugee-crisis. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Flores Morales, Rogelio,, Reyes Pérez, Verónica,, Martínez, Reidl, and María, Lucy. ( 2014;), ‘ El impacto psicológico de la guerra contra el narcotráfico en periodistas Mexicanos. ’, Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 23:1, pp. 177–93.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Flores Morales, Rogelio,, Souza Colín, Liliana,, Oviedo Mireles, Ángela,, Allende, Bonilla, and Fernando, Jorge. ( 2016;), ‘ Estrés Traumático Secundario (ETS) en periodistas Mexicanos y defensores de derechos humanos. ’, Summa Psicológica UST, 13:1, pp. 101–11.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Fröhlich, Gabriele. ( 2006;), ‘ Emotional intelligence in peace journalism. ’, Global Media Journal, 5:9, pp. 1–17.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Ganter, Sarah Anne, and Paulino, Fernando Oliveira. ( 2020;), ‘ Between attack and resilience: The ongoing institutionalization of independent digital journalism in Brazil. ’, Digital Journalism, 9:2, pp. 235–54.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Gonzalez, Ruben Arnoldo. ( 2021;), ‘ Mexican journalism under siege: The impact of anti-press violence on reporters, newsrooms, and society. ’, Journalism Practice, 15:3, pp. 308–28.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. González de Bustamante, Celeste, and Relly, Jeannine E.. ( 2021), Surviving Mexico: Resistance and Resilience among Journalists in the Twenty-First Century, Austin, TX:: University of Texas Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Hopper, K. Megan, and Huxford, John. ( 2017;), ‘ Emotion instruction in journalism courses: An analysis of introductory news writing textbooks. ’, Communication Education, 66:1, pp. 90–108.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Houston, J. Brian,, Schraedley, Megan K.,, Worley, Mary E.,, Reed, Katherine, and Saidi, Janet. ( 2019;), ‘ Disaster journalism: Fostering citizen and community disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience across the disaster cycle. ’, Disasters, 43:3, pp. 591–611.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Hughes, Sallie,, Iesue, Laura,, Bárcenas, de Ortega,, Fernández, Hilda,, Sandoval, Judith Cruz, and Lozano, José Carlos. ( 2021;), ‘ Coping with occupational stress in journalism: Professional identities and advocacy as resources. ’, Journalism Studies, 22:8, pp. 971–91.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. IREX ( 2019;), ‘ Psychosocial self-care for journalists. ’, https://www.irex.org/sites/default/files/pdf/overview-psychosocial-self-care-journalists.pdf. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  35. IREX ( 2020;), ‘ Risk assessment: Journalism and civil society activism in a post-COVID-19 world. ’, https://www.irex.org/resource/journalism-and-civil-society-activism-post-covid-19-world-risk-assessment. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  36. Jamieson, Thomas, and Van Belle, Douglas A.. ( 2019;), ‘ Resilience-focused journalism: The motivations, tactics, and impact of the Los Angeles Times coverage of earthquake risk. ’, Environmental Communication, pp. 1–15.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Junger, Sebastian. ( 2016), Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, New York:: Twelve;.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Keats, Patricia. ( 2014;), ‘ The impact of trauma assignments on journalists’ families. ’, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, https://istss.org/public-resources/trauma-blog/2014-may/the-impact-of-trauma-assignments-on-journalists%e2%80%99-f. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Lee, Mina,, Ha, Eun Hye, and Pae, Jung Kun. ( 2018;), ‘ The exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among Korean journalists. ’, Journalism, 19:9&10, pp. 1308–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Matthews, Julian, and Onyemaobi, Kelechi. ( 2020;), ‘ Precarious professionalism: Journalism and the fragility of professional practice in the Global South. ’, Journalism Studies, 21:13, pp. 1836–51.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Mayer, John. D,, DiPaolo, Maria, and Salovey, Peter. ( 1990;), ‘ Perceiving affective content in ambiguous visual stimuli: A component of emotional intelligence. ’, Journal of Personality Assessment, 54:3&4, pp. 772–81.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. McIntyre, Karen, and Sobel, Meghan. ( 2018;), ‘ Reconstructing Rwanda: How Rwandan reporters use constructive journalism to promote peace. ’, Journalism Studies, 19:14, pp. 2126–47.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Morales, Rogelio Flores,, Souza Colín, Liliana,, Oviedo Mireles, Ángela, and Bonilla Allende, Jorge Fernando. ( 2016;), ‘ Estrés traumático secundario (ETS) en periodistas Mexicanos y defensores de derechos humanos. ’, Summa Psicológica UST, 13:1, pp. 101–11.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Morell, Ricki. ( 2020;), ‘ Reporting and resilience: How journalists are managing their mental health. ’, Nieman Reports, https://niemanreports.org/articles/reporting-and-resilience-how-journalists-are-managing-their-mental-health/. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Novak, Rosemary J., and Davidson, Sarah. ( 2013;), ‘ Journalists reporting on hazardous events: Constructing protective factors within the professional role. ’, Traumatology, 19:4, pp. 313–22.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Ogunyemi, Olatunji, and Akanuwe, Joseph. ( 2021;), ‘ Should journalism curriculae include trauma resilience training? An evaluation of the evidence from a scoping literature review and findings from a pilot study. ’, Journalism Education, 10:1, pp. 33–43.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Pearson, Mark,, McMahon, Cait, and O’Donovan, Analise. ( 2018;), ‘ Potential benefits of teaching mindfulness to journalism students. ’, Asia Pacific Media Educator, 28:2, pp. 186–204.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Pearson, Mark,, McMahon, Cait,, O’Donovan, Analise, and O’Shannessy, Dustin. ( 2019;), ‘ Building journalists’ resilience through mindfulness strategies. ’, Journalism, 22:7, pp. 1647–64.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Posetti, Julie,, Shabbir, Nabeelah,, Maynard, Diana,, Bontcheva, Kalina, and Aboulez, Nermine. ( 2021;), ‘ The chilling: Global trends in online violence against women journalists, research discussion paper. ’, UNESCO, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377223. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Radcliffe, Damian. ( 2021;), ‘ The impact of COVID-19 on journalism in emerging economies and the Global South. ’, SSRN, 14 January, http://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3796666. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Raemy, Patric. ( 2020;), ‘ A theory of professional identity in journalism: Connecting discursive institutionalism, socialization, and psychological resilience theory. ’, Communication Theory, 31:4, pp. 841–61.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Relly, Jeannine E., and González de Bustamante, Celeste. ( 2017;), ‘ Global and domestic networks advancing prospects for institutional and social change: The collective action response to violence against journalists. ’, Journalism & Communication Monographs, 19:2, pp. 84–152.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Relly, Jeannine E., and Zanger, Margaret. ( 2017;), ‘ The enigma of news media development with multi-pronged “capture”: The Afghanistan case. ’, Journalism, 18:10, pp. 1233–55.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. RTDNA21 ( 2021;), ‘ Representation and resilience. ’, https://rtdna21.rtdna.org/?_zs=8VS5X&_zl=801h2. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  55. Ruggiero, Christian, and Karadimitriou, Achilleas. ( 2020;), ‘ Journalism as a precarious routinized profession. ’, The Euromedia Research Group and the Media for Democracy Monitor, http://www.euromediagroup.org/mdm/policybrief03.pdf. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Schönbächler, Viviane. ( 2021;), ‘ Feminist and gender perspectives in literature in media and development. ’, Research Reviews for Media Development Practitioners, 1:1, pp. 5–24.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Schwarz, Silke. ( 2018;), ‘ Resilience in psychology: A critical analysis of the concept. ’, Theory & Psychology, 28:4, pp. 528–41.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Shakespeare-Finch, Jane,, Smith, Sandy, and Obst, Patricia. ( 2002;), ‘ Trauma, coping resources, and family functioning in emergency services personnel: A comparative study. ’, Work & Stress, 16:3, pp. 275–82.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Sigmar Stretcher, Lucia,, Hynes, Geraldine E., and Hill, Kathy L.. ( 2012;), ‘ Strategies for teaching social and emotional intelligence in business communication. ’, Business Communication Quarterly, 75:3, pp. 301–17.
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Smith, River J.. ( 2008;), ‘ Trauma and journalism: Exploring a model of risk and resilience. ’, Ph.D. dissertation, Tulsa, OK:: University of Tulsa;.
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Southwick, Steven M.,, Bonanno, George A.,, Masten, Ann S.,, Catherine, Panter-Brick, and Rachel, Yehuda. ( 2014;), ‘ Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: Interdisciplinary perspectives. ’, European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5:1, https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.25338. Accessed 5 July 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  62. Southwick, Steven M., and Charney, Dennis S.. ( 2012;), ‘ The science of resilience: Implications for the prevention and treatment of depression. ’, Science, 338:6103, pp. 79–82.
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Southwick, Steven M., and Charney, Dennis S.. ( 2018), Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges, Cambridge:: Cambridge University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  64. Trenz, Hans-Jörg,, Heft, Annett,, Vaughan, Michael, and Pfetsch, Barbara. ( 2021;), ‘ Resilience of public spheres in a global health crisis. ’, Javnost: The Public, 28:2, pp. 111–28.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. UNESCO ( 2020;), ‘ Director-General report on the safety of journalists and the danger of impunity. ’, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374700?posInSet=2&queryId=59f40786-004d-4e02-b22a-3c5f3fef2291. Accessed 5 July 2022.
  66. Verhovnik, Melanie. ( 2017;), ‘ Trauma journalism and disaster resilience. German journalists’ coping strategies when reporting about crime, violence, accidents, crises and natural disasters. ’, Studies in Communication Sciences, 17:2, pp. 209–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  67. Wahl-Jorgensen, Karin. ( 2013;), ‘ The strategic ritual of emotionality: A case study of Pulitzer Prize-winning articles. ’, Journalism, 14:1, pp. 129–45.
     [Google Scholar]
  68. Waisbord, Silvio. ( 2019;), ‘ The vulnerabilities of journalism. ’, Journalism, 20:1, pp. 210–13.
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Waisbord, Silvio. ( 2020;), ‘ Mob censorship: Online harassment of US journalists in times of digital hate and populism. ’, Digital Journalism, 8:8, pp. 1030–46.
     [Google Scholar]
  70. Zhang, Xiaochen Angela, and Shay, Ronen. ( 2019;), ‘ An examination of antecedents to perceived community resilience in disaster postcrisis communication. ’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 96:1, pp. 264–87.
     [Google Scholar]
  71. Relly, Jeannine E., and Waisbord, Silvio. ( 2022;), ‘ Why collective resilience in journalism matters: A call to action in global media development. ’, Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies, 11:2, pp. 163–88, 10.1386/ajms_00089_1
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00089_1
Loading
  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): collective well-being; journalism studies; journalist safety; media assistance; media development; resilience

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error