The Price of the Story

By Brian Ochieng Akoko, Reporter | Nakuru City – Kenya.

Journalism is a tough job. Reporters cover floods, fires, and wars. They report on crimes and public tragedies. They are often the first on the scene. They are there to tell the story. But what happens to the storyteller?

For a long time, the mental health of journalists was ignored. It was seen as a sign of weakness. The thinking was, „You signed up for this.“ Journalists were expected to be stoic.

They were told to be detached. But the human mind is not a machine. It cannot witness trauma without feeling its effects.

The Unseen Wounds

The mental health toll on journalists is real. It is often hidden. It can show up in many ways. Journalists who cover trauma often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They have nightmares.

They have flashbacks. They become anxious and jumpy. The world no longer feels safe. This is not just an issue for war correspondents. It affects every reporter who covers a traumatic event.

A reporter covering a school shooting can experience the same trauma as a soldier. A journalist covering a natural disaster can have the same feelings as a victim. Beyond PTSD, there is also burnout.

Journalists work long hours. The news cycle is endless. They are always on call. They are under pressure to get the scoop. This can lead to exhaustion. It can lead to cynicism. They can feel detached from their work.

They can lose their passion. There is also a type of secondary trauma. This is also called compassion fatigue. A journalist listens to the stories of victims. They hear about their pain and suffering.

Over time, this can cause a deep emotional toll. They may feel overwhelmed. They may feel helpless.

The Culture of Stoicism

The news industry has a culture of stoicism. Journalists were trained to be objective. They were taught to not get emotionally involved. This was seen as a professional necessity.

It was seen as the only way to do the job. But this culture created a problem. It made it hard for journalists to ask for help. When a journalist admitted to struggling, they could be seen as weak.

They could be passed over for a promotion. They could be taken off a story. So they suffered in silence. They coped on their own. This led to serious problems. It led to high rates of anxiety and depression.

It led to substance abuse. It led to suicide. For a long time, the industry was in denial. Editors did not want to talk about it.

They did not have the resources to help. They did not know what to do. The focus was always on the story. The focus was never on the person telling it.

The Shift to Support

But things are finally starting to change. The conversation about mental health is getting louder. Journalists are speaking out. They are sharing their stories.

They are demanding more support. News organizations are starting to listen. Some newsrooms are now offering mental health support. They are hiring therapists. They are offering counseling services.

They are providing resources on trauma and burnout. They are creating a culture where it’s okay to not be okay. They are also changing the way they work. Some newsrooms are giving reporters more time off after a traumatic event.

They are rotating assignments. They are creating wellness committees. They are holding workshops on mental health. They are giving journalists the tools they need to cope. This is a long process. The old culture of stoicism is deeply ingrained.

But the shift is happening. It is being led by a new generation of journalists. They are open about their struggles. They are advocating for change. They are saying that a reporter’s mental health is just as important as the story.

The Need for Empathy

The future of journalism depends on this change. A journalist cannot tell a good story if they are broken. They cannot be objective if they are suffering. They cannot have compassion for others if they have no compassion for themselves.

The new approach to journalism must be built on empathy. It must be built on support. It must recognize the human cost of the job. It must train journalists not only on how to report a story but also on how to survive it. The public also has a role to play.

We must recognize the sacrifices that journalists make. We must understand the risks they take. We must support news organizations that support their staff. The story is not just what happens.

It’s also who tells it. It’s time we start taking care of the tellers. The brave men and women who go to the darkest places. They do so to bring us the light of truth. It’s time we make sure they are not left in the dark.