Ethical dilemmas, guilt and posttraumatic stress in news journalists.

Klas Henrik Backholm, Trond Idås

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Most news journalists will work with a potentially traumatic assignment (PTA) at some point during their careers. For some, exposure to trauma in one’s line of work will cause negative psychological reactions, and in the worst case have a long-term impact on the journalist’s wellbeing. In this chapter, the concept of ethical dilemmas is presented. Ethical dilemmas constitute a group of risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are especially relevant for news journalists. They reflect situations during a PTA in which a journalist experiences inner conflicts between behaving like a good human being and behaving like a professional journalist. Research on how ethical dilemmas affect post-assignment guilt and PTSD severity in Nordic journalist samples is presented and discussed, as are best practices for preventing such dilemmas.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFreedom of Expression and Media in Transition. Studies and Reflections in the Digital Age.
EditorsUlla Carlsson
Number of pages7
Place of PublicationGothenburg
PublisherNORDICOM
Publication date2016
Edition1
Pages191-197
ISBN (Print)978-91-87957-22-2
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
MoE publication typeA3 Book chapter

Fields of Science

  • 515 Psychology
  • ethical dilemmas
  • journalism ethics
  • occupational health
  • posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • work-related guilt
  • 518 Media and communications
  • ethical dilemmas
  • journalism ethics
  • occupational health
  • posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • work-related guilt

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