ArticleBMJ open2021
How have journalists been affected psychologically by their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic? A descriptive study of two international news organisations.
Article in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 36 citations in OpenAlex.
- An examination of psychological distress and moral injury in journalists exposed to online harassment.European journal of psychotraumatology · 2025Article
- Geographical differences in the stress and distress of climate change journalists: An observational study.JRSM open · 2025Article
- Exploring the Association Between Digital Health Literacy and Burnout and Depression Among TV Journalists During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Serbia.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Reply to Van Overmeire, R. Comment on "Tyson, G.; Wild, J. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Journalists Repeatedly Covering COVID-19 News.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Journalists Repeatedly Covering COVID-19 News.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented healthcare challenges. Journalists covering the pandemic at close quarters are working in ways akin to first responders, but nothing to date is known of the psychological distress this is potentially causing them. This study aims to determine whether journalists reporting on the COVID-19 crisis have been affected emotionally, and if so to assess the severity of their distress. It also investigates potential demographic and work-related predictors and whether news organisations had provided counselling to their journalists.
participantsA total of 111 journalists working for two international news organisations were approached of which 73 (66%) participated in the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7)), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)), overall psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)), and treatment.
resultsThe percentages of journalists exceeding threshold scores for clinically significant anxiety, depression, PTSD and psychological distress were: GAD-7, 26%; PHQ-9, 20.5%; PCL-5, 9.6%; GHQ-12, 82.2%. Journalists assigned to cover the pandemic (n=54 (74%)) were significantly more anxious (p<0.05). Journalists who received counselling (n=38 (52%)) following the onset of the pandemic reported significantly fewer symptoms of anxiety (p<0.01), depression (p<0.01) and overall psychological distress (p<0.01).
conclusionsJournalists covering the COVID-19 pandemic are experiencing levels of anxiety and depression similar to those seen in first responders. Psychological therapy provided in a timely manner can significantly alleviate emotional distress.
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