How to look out for colleagues (and yourself) when working with graphic imagery – as presented at the 2016 Online News Association annual conference

1. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY

2. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
There is more graphic imagery to filter than ever before…
Credit: Sam Dubberley

3. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
…and we’re not ready
Credit: Sam Dubberley

4. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
When is it most traumatic? (Emhub Study)
• When they were not expecting to see something horrific.
• When they were repeatedly exposed to distressing content.
• When they were looking for or at distressing content which was then not
subsequently used in news output, reporting or advocacy campaigns.
• When content reminded the individual of personal experiences or was in
some way connected to them.
• When the audio in a video contained sounds of human suffering such as
screaming or people begging for their lives.
Credit: Sam Dubberley

5. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
The personal impact can be profound
Credit: Sam Dubberley

6. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
Personal care

7. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
Ensure that, before introducing new social media newsgathering techniques into the
newsrooms, ensure that the potential for viewing more distressing or traumatic content is
taken into account.
Ensure workflows for introducing video on to general servers includes warnings of traumatic
content.
Ensure staff rotation policies are in place so staff are given breaks from viewing distressing or
traumatic content during shifts. Also ensure that viewing social media is not left to one staff
member during any given shift.
Advice for managers

8. @ajreid | firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
HANDLING GRAPHIC IMAGERY
Further reading

9. firstdraftnews.com | @firstdraftnews | #ONA16
FIND MORE AT FIRSTDRAFTNEWS.COM
facebook.com/FirstDraftNews
@firstdraftnews
@firstdraftnews
medium.com/1st-draft