Washington, DC National Press Club, November 16, 2012:
COMMON GROUND – A Workshop for Journalists
Sponsored by: University of Kansas, William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Program funded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
The war in Iraq is over, and the war in Afghanistan if winding down. Stories about the military will now focus on the home front—veterans and their families adjusting to life post-deployment. Post-traumatic stress will be a factor in many veterans’ lives, and journalists, too, can experience post-traumatic stress from covering stories in violent settings.
When the military goes to war, journalists follow. While the two groups have different roles to play, they do share common ground: Their experiences in combat zones can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
This daylong workshop was designed to help journalists learn more about post-tramatic stress, how better to cover the issue, and how best to care for themselves. There were 35 seats available and A Backpack Journalist was assigned a seat. Attending: Linda Dennis, Program Manager, and auditing was Lexie Mitchell, Backpacker Intern and Ms. Sylvia (“Mama”) Lynch.
University of Kansas has built a website on line that contains multiple resources and articles. http://www.commongroundtrauma.org/
You can view the entire workshop, as it is now posted on line at:
http://journalism.ku.edu/ptsd-stream
The agenda is listed below:
Agenda
Friday, Nov. 16, 2012
9 – 9:15 – Welcome –
Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas
Mark Hamrick, reporter, Associated Press, past president of the National Press Club
9:15 – 10:45 – PTSD – What do we know today
In the Civil War, post-traumatic stress was described as “soldier’s heart.” In World War II, it was called “shell shock.” A panel of medical researchers discusses what we know – and don’t know – about PTS today.
Panelists:
Susan Borja, National Institute of Mental Health, Army STARRS Project
Col. Charles C. Engel, U.S. Army
Michael Kilpatrick, Department of Defense
James Mundt, Center for Training, Psychiatric Research and Consultation
Paula Schnurr, Department of Veterans Affair
10:45 – 11 – Break
11 – 12:30 – Telling stories
People who have served in combat often don’t want to discuss their experiences, even with family members. How can journalists tell stories about post-traumatic stress that are sensitive to service members’ and veterans’ experiences? That are accurate and complete? This panel offers suggestions.
Military and veterans panelists:
Sonja Batten, deputy chief consultant for specialty mental health,
Veterans Affairs Central Office
Anu Bhagwati, USMC (Ret.), executive director, Service Women’s Action Network
Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, director, Marine and Family Programs Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Lt. Col. Michael Jason, U.S. Army
Kate McCauley, program director, Wounded Warriors Family Support
Brent Whitten, U.S. Army veteran, student, William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas
12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 – Dr. Anthony Feinstein, professor at the University of Toronto, author of Journalists Under Fire: The Psychological Hazards of Covering War
2:30 – 3:00 – Break
3:00 – 5:30 – Journalism: Covering and coping
A panel of authors and journalists speak about covering combat. Authors explain what they have learned about trauma and journalism, and journalists discuss how their own experiences with PTSD have affected their coverage.
Panelists:
Sig Christensen, San Antonio Express-News, President of Military Reporters and Editors
Julie Jacobson, Associate Press photographer
Lara Jakes, national security writer, Associated Press, and former Baghdad AP chief of bureau
Mark Massé, author of Trauma Journalism: On Deadline in Harm’s Way
Susannah Nesmith, freelance journalist
Jackie Spinner, Assistant professor, Journalism, Columbia College, former Washington Post correspondent in Iraq and Afghanistan
(Anthony Feinstein, University of Toronto will join this group)
5:30 – 7 – Reception for panelists, journalists and KU alums
Program coordinated by the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas
Program funded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation