NABJ President Calls for News Companies to Provide Coping Resources to Black Journalists During Chauvin Trial

A Message from President Dorothy Tucker

As the trial of Derek Chauvin becomes a central focus of the news cycle, we urge news companies to provide resources to Black journalists and communicators to help them cope with the emotional trauma of covering, rewatching and hearing the testimonies of George Floyd’s death. 

For many reporting on this story, they must work hard to balance the reality that Floyd could have been them or their loved ones while also maintaining their professionalism, as they report the facts. Covering the trial may also trigger trauma tied to past experiences and previous stories of Black citizens harmed at the hands of police.

We urge our members to take advantage of coping and mental health resources made available by their companies and health plans or to request such resources if they are not readily available. We also remind members to turn to one another and the NABJ Family for comfort when things get too heavy and revisit our Coping and Safety Resources link (which includes past mental health and coping webinars) to help with dealing with the various emotions they may be feeling. The link is here: https://nabjonline.org/blog/resources-for-coping-and-safety/

Our prayers and thoughts are with all journalists who are carrying a huge responsibility in this defining moment in our nation’s history.