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News organisations around the country are today being urged to more closely consider victims, survivors and witnesses when covering traumatic incidents and their anniversaries.
Director of the Australasian branch of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, Cait McMahon said news media have a powerful influence not only in what information they convey but in the way they package and present that information.
“Very recently we have spent a good deal of time with people affected by the Port Arthur shootings and they really have some vital messages for the media,” Ms McMahon said from her Melbourne base.
“Accuracy, coupled with a constructive, forward-looking focus and a de-emphasis on gory, salacious or speculative angles are the main things they would like to see.
“Today we have seen a national magazine produce an in-depth feature on this incident which was, in parts, admirable.
“However, as other media feel obliged to take up this story, especially the aspects that focus on the perpetrator, they should pause to consider that for many, renewed coverage of the man who caused them so much pain and loss can re-traumatise and open old wounds.
“What these people do appreciate is reporting that is sensitive to survivors and the relatives of those who perished and were injured. Sensational or one-sided reports continue to cause a great deal of harm to a very large circle of people touched by such a major incident.”
For the past 18 months, Ms McMahon said, the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, through its Australasian representatives – working journalists, educators and health professionals – had been a part of a growing international conversation about ways of reporting such tragedies while minimising further harm to audiences and journalists themselves. “
This had seen, she said, the development of excellent resources for journalists to access on the group’s international website (www.dartcentre.org).
“Many journalists realise the need for change and are ready to discuss and adopt a ‘do no further harm’ approach that achieves that outcome. They realise that they can still get the ‘hard stories’ and potentially better angles if they adopt this approach. It is a win-win situation,” Ms McMahon said.
“Ultimately, what is most important is that they do journalism with affected communities and not to them.
For further information contact: Cait McMahon 0419 131 947 or australasia@dartcentre.org
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