The Cost of the Story:

This report explores the emotional and structural toll of trauma reporting on both journalists and the communities they cover. Led by Chelsea Fuller and Takara Pierce, the research combines a national survey of journalists with in-depth interviews and focus groups with directly impacted community members, organizers, and media professionals.

Findings show that journalists, especially Black and Brown journalists, are frequently exposed to traumatic events with little to no institutional support. At the same time, communities are often retraumatized by extractive or inaccurate coverage. While journalists report high levels of stress and anxiety, most have never accessed professional mental health care. Communities, in turn, are left to manage the ripple effects of how their stories are told and circulated.

The report urges a shift toward trauma-informed journalism that centers care, consent, and accountability. It outlines concrete recommendations for newsrooms, journalism schools, and funders, calling for a future where both journalists and communities are protected, resourced, and treated with dignity.