| Journalists are a vital part of the information network following any disaster and it is important that they also understand the impact that an event can have on them said John Richardson, Manager of the State Emergency Recovery Unit of Victoria today.
The Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma – Australasia has received funding from the Victorian Department of Human Services State Emergency Recovery Unit for a pilot program to train Victorian journalists on trauma issues. The Victorian Government has undertaken an extensive program to train community service organisations and community members in providing support and taking care of themselves following disasters. Cait McMahon, Director of the Australasian Dart Centre stated that this funding was a significant acknowledgement by DHS that journalists are often in the category of ‘first responders’ similar to police and emergency workers at the scene of disasters, and are potentially impacted by what they witness in the course of their work. McMahon stated that the training, to be run by the Dart Centre will remain completely independent, utilising the expertise of Dart Australasia and facilitated by both a journalist and a health professional.
The one-day training session for journalists will include information on the impact of covering disaster and violence, building resilience in the face of disaster, self care, peer support, and the responsible treatment of victims and survivors of disaster by the media. There will also be a separate training day for editors and news managers which will also include managing staff during times of disaster.
The Department of Human Services will be funding two sessions in the Melbourne CBD on February 1 (editors / managers) and February 2 (journalists). There will also be training on February 8 for Northeast and Northern Country Victoria editors and managers. These sessions will be free of charge to participants. There will be three positions available to freelance journalists or photographers for the Melbourne training on February 1. Application will be on a ‘first in’ basis and people interested in attending should contact Cait McMahon via e-mail. Journalists and managers employed by media organisations will need to register their interest through their employing organisations.
More information about the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma can be accessed at www.dartcentre.org and the Department of Human Services State Emergency Recovery Unit at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency.
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For more information, contact:
Cait McMahon, director, Dart Centre Australasia
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