Psychological aid and training for journalists who face continued emotionally demanding environments: The case of Venezuelan journalists

Journalists' professional lives, particularly in conflict coverage, encompass an emotional dimension (Stupart, 2021). Post-traumatic stress disorder and other traumas affect many journalists (Pyevich et al., 2003). This study aims to understand emotions in journalistic practice, journalists' attitudes toward mental health care, external support, and the necessity of emotional literacy in their education. Twenty semi-structured in-depth interviews with Venezuelan journalists aged 30 to 62 years were conducted. In Venezuela, journalists face stress due to the uncertain economic situation, pervasive political tensions impacting all aspects of life, self-censorship (Pain and Korin, 2021), and perceived repression (García Santamaría and Salojärvi, 2020). They also encounter physical threats, occasional natural disasters, and social unrest. Using an interpretative phenomenology approach and thematic analysis, the study found that working amid constant risks is emotionally demanding, stemming from harsh living conditions and emotionally draining stories. This stress can extend to affect journalists' personal and family lives. Indeed, many interviewees sought psychological assistance during their careers or relied on other means, such as religion, for emotional support. Unfortunately, not all journalists have access to therapy due to financial constraints, cultural taboos, or geographical limitations. Based on the results, we recommend to provide emotional training to journalists, regardless of gender, age, experience, working contract, or religion. Such training would enable them to cope better with emotional challenges in their profession, ensuring high-quality, ethical journalism even in difficult and emotionally charged situations. Addressing journalists' emotional well-being is crucial for their welfare and for upholding the standards of journalism in challenging contexts.