Editors in Conflict Zones Face Unique Mental Health Challenges, Panel Warns
Anna Babinets, regional editor of Ukraine’s Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), faced a harrowing dilemma on Monday night when Russian bombs struck Kyiv, destroying the apartment her team used. Despite the destruction, Babinets prioritized attending a panel session at the World News Media Congress in Marseille, emphasizing the “moral duty” editors bear in war zones. The session, titled “Who takes care of the editors,” highlighted the psychological toll on newsroom leaders, with experts warning of rising rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and “moral injury” among journalists.
According to a 2024 report by the Reuters Institute, conflict journalism is no longer confined to battlefields, with drone attacks, digital surveillance, and war rhetoric exposing reporters to trauma in new ways. “The data hasn’t changed: journalists face higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety than the general population,” said Anthony Feinstein, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto and co-developer of the Toronto Moral Injury Scale for Journalists. His research, spanning Kenya, Mexico, Afghanistan, and Iran, underscores the need for institutional support to address these risks.
What Are the Unique Stressors for Newsroom Editors?
Editors in conflict zones shoulder “dual burdens,” according to Caoilfhionn Gallagher, an international human rights lawyer who has represented journalists like Nobel laureate Maria Ressa. “They are often targeted themselves while managing the emotional pain of their staff, feeling they cannot show weakness,” Gallagher said. The panel identified four key risks: vicarious trauma from handling crises like journalist kidnappings, high-stakes decision-making under pressure, and the increasing targeting of editors in non-rule-of-law countries.
Phil Chetwynd, global news director for AFP, emphasized the importance of organizational culture. “Newsrooms must prioritize mental health by allocating budgets, providing therapy access, and fostering open conversations,” he said. AFP, which employs 1,700 journalists across 150 countries, has implemented peer support programs and trauma training, a model urged for wider adoption.
How Are Newsrooms Addressing These Challenges?
Babinets’ “three-pronged approach” to wartime self-care includes setting strict work-life boundaries, encouraging normalcy through hobbies, and fostering peer support via a “manager’s club.” These strategies align with recommendations from Feinstein, who stressed that “good relationships are the single biggest protective factor for emotional health.”
News organizations are also shifting toward collaborative solutions. Gallagher noted that editors should “share non-competitive resources on security and stress management,” reducing individual burdens. The Reuters Institute survey further called for “deeper institutional support,” including trauma education and clearer risk assessments for journalists in geopolitical hotspots.
Why Does This Matter for Global Journalism?
The panel’s findings come amid a surge in attacks on media. According to Reporters Without Borders, 86 journalists were killed in 2023, with many targeted for their editorial leadership. “When editors are silenced, entire news ecosystems collapse,” Gallagher said. The targeting of figures like Kyiv Independent editor-in-chief Anton Gashinov, who faced harassment after covering the war, highlights the urgent need for protection.
Feinstein’s research also reveals a stark reality: “Editors are the interface with violence, yet they receive no formal training.” As conflicts evolve, so too must the support systems for those managing them. “This isn’t just about survival—it’s about sustaining truth in a world where information is both a weapon and a lifeline,” he added.
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