A landmark ruling by an Australian court is expected to have international consequences for newsrooms, with media companies on notice they face large compensation claims if they fail to take care of journalists who regularly cover traumatic events.
Historically, the idea of journalists suing their employers for occupational PTSD was unheard of. Newsroom culture dictated that journalists did whatever was asked of them, including intrusions on grieving relatives, or “death knocks” as they are known.
The Victorian County Court accepted the potential for psychological damage on those whose work requires them to report on traumatic events, including violent crimes. The court ruled on February 22 that an Age journalist be awarded $180,000 for psychological injury suffered during the decade she worked at the Melbourne-based newspaper . . .
When editors send writers to the scene of tragedy,
the horror and the sorrow can affect them fervidly.
They may develop tics or take to drink to ease the pain;
post traumatic problems can spread like a new blood stain.
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But now at last reporters have a recourse with the law
to sue their callous newspaper and make 'em pay til raw.
No more must they barge in on folk who wallow in their grief;
no more must they kowtow to any editor-in-chief!
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A journalist is delicate, a rose about to bloom.
He or she writes poetry in alleys or newsroom.
From now on when there's breaking news in some far off war zone,
the management will spare reporters and send out a drone.
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