A night ago, a reporter of Television Continental (TVC) covering the daily briefing of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health started her report saying something like “people don’t like hearing bad news, but everyday journalists here are told of sad developments about Coronavirus (COVID-19)”
Her concern is understandable as having to directly report ‘bad’ news every day may have its psychological effect on reporters.
Below are what reporters in this situation should do based on the experience of reporters in China published by the Global Investigative Journalists Network.
Take Care of Yourself Emotionally
Covering a pandemic and keeping up with all the relevant news every day can be a traumatic experience for journalists. You need to take care of yourself emotionally. A few of the reporters covering COVID-19 in Wuhan shared these tips on how they do self-care:
Never shut yourself away in a room all day. Make sure to see and speak with your friends.
Pick a hotel room with good lighting and a window with a view because your physical environment can have a significant impact on your emotions.
Do not let yourself drown in disease-related news. Distract yourself by reading or watching unrelated content.
It’s alright to cry when you are feeling stressed. Crying is a good way to release your emotions.
Maintaining physical health can help when dealing with negative emotions. Try meditation, yoga, or other forms of exercise to help you stay healthy and well.
