Resources for Journalists and Other Media Professionals
Best Practice Guides & Resources for Journalists Covering Sensitive Topics, such as Injuries, Violence & Trauma
Accidental injuries, violence and trauma are often highly newsworthy, and stories about these issues are important. Media coverage has a profound effect on how communities understand and address problems, especially social, environmental and public health issues. Journalists, editors, bloggers, public relations professionals, and other content creators have a unique opportunity to illuminate the driving forces behind injury and violence in their communities, highlight prevention strategies, and encourage productive public discourse and accountability.
The resources listed below are designed to help media professionals reframe their coverage of various sensitive issues in a way that avoids unintentional harms, focuses on solutions, and drives action.
Recommended Resources
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma ›
Find a wide array of tip sheets, multimedia, expert publications and other resources to support informed, innovative and ethical news reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.
Solutions Journalism Network ›
Find tips, webinars, online peer support and professional communities, and mentorship and training opportunities
Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide ›
Recommendations developed by leading experts in suicide prevention, in collaboration with schools of journalism, media organizations, journalists and internet safety experts.
Media Guide for Reporting on Sexual Violence ›
A guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Suggested Practices for Journalists Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect ›
A guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Guide to Writing about Traumatic Brain Injury in News and Social Medi ›
A guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Media Guidelines for Bullying Prevention ›
Resources and tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Media Outreach Guide: Teen Driver Safety ›
A guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Race Reporting Guide ›
A guide from Race Forward to help content creators determine when and how to talk about race, even and especially when stories are not obviously tied to racism and racial justice.
Related Programs and Initiatives
ACE Educator Program
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is the term given to describe all types of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic childhood experiences. Findings from a landmark study by Kaise...