Al Jazeera Journalism Review

A picture of an open laptop with someone typing on it and a newspaper in arabic.

What the senior editor should know

Successfully integrating social newsgathering into your newsroom requires engaging key stakeholders throughout your organisation - among these, senior editors will play a critical and often overlooked role. There is a general lack of resources supporting senior editors. This chapter aims to introduce the key opportunities, challenges and considerations from the editor’s perspective, and seeks to answer the question: What should the senior editor responsible for social newsgathering know?

Before unpacking this, let’s start with another, more foundational question: Why is the role of the editor so key to any discussion of social newsgathering and eyewitness media? Put simply, the most successful organisations working with UGC and eyewitness media are invariably those where editors have invested time and energy into designing, refining and implementing newsroom processes and policies that are tailored to social newsgathering. In the often tumultuous conditions of a breaking story, newsrooms without well-established processes are not only less likely to find and acquire compelling content, but they are also more likely to make errors with UGC that can have a lasting impact on a publication’s credibility. 

To design newsgathering processes that make the best use of the opportunities presented by social networks and UGC, editors themselves should have an in-depth understanding of the key tenets of social newsgathering: discovery, verification, and permissions and attribution. Understanding the tools and techniques is not only important in dividing and assigning roles, for example, but also in understanding the wider limitations of those tools and techniques. 

As this is still very much an emergent field, and one in which editors’ perspectives are often overlooked, we also encourage editors working to set up social newsgathering teams to externalise and share the valuable lessons they are learning: publish blog posts, speak at conferences, tweet. 

Continuing Professional Development

Providing ongoing professional training for yourself and colleagues is important in any newsroom. For social newsgathering teams, however, given the dependency on a wide range of tools, technologies and platforms, the need is especially urgent: new tools emerge and old tools disappear frequently, platforms often tweak APIs and introduce new features that can help (or hinder) social newsgathering, and new techniques and best practices to accompany new tools are constantly being developed. 

The pace of change in the field also seems to be accelerating: the increased adoption of smartphones and access to the internet is creating increasing volumes of valuable content. This dynamic, in turn, drives the pace of innovation in methods and tools for making sense of all that content. 

Consider this: in the five years since the start of the Arab uprisings, the hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute has increased by a multiple of more than 10: from 35 hours per minute in November 2010 to 400 hours per minute in July 2015. Between April 2013 and February 2016, messaging service WhatsApp increased its monthly active user base from 200 million in 2013, to 1 billion in 2016

New formats and platforms emerge all the time: think Snapchat, Periscope, 360 video. The principles and priorities of responsible journalistic social newsgathering don’t change - but we have to adapt tools and techniques for discovery, verification and attribution to match this new reality, and prepare for new developments in future.

Keeping abreast of the latest tools and research need not be a cost-intensive process. While there is great value in face-to-face training workshops with social newsgathering experts, newsrooms on a tight budget can also stay fairly well up to date by following a handful of Twitter accounts and dedicating a portion of time each week to reading a couple of blog posts. Attending events - of which there are an increasing amount, including in the MENA region - is also a great way to stay up to date not only on questions of tools and techniques, but also the wider issues of trauma, ethics, and law. 

Excellent training resources and ongoing social newsgathering-related publishing can be found at: 

Protecting the team: HR considerations around vicarious trauma

Among the most important developments in the field of social newsgathering over the past five years has been research into the impact on the mental health of journalists of routinely bearing witness to violent and graphic content as part of the social newsgathering and verification process. The term used to describe this unique type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is vicarious or secondary trauma.

As senior editors, we are responsible for ensuring a safe and productive working environment for colleagues. Understanding the dangers of vicarious trauma is an essential first step to design practical policies and management structures to mitigate the impact of trauma on your teammates. Pioneering 2015 survey research into the topic by Eyewitness Media Hub found that 90 percent of respondents working as journalists viewed eyewitness media at least once per week. Fifty-two percent of journalist respondents view distressing eyewitness media several times a week. Forty percent of survey respondents said that viewing distressing eyewitness media has had a negative impact on their personal lives, with symptoms ranging from experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and developing stress-related medical conditions. 

This topic is especially important for editors working in the Middle East and North Africa, where the growth of social newsgathering has coincided with Arab uprisings and their brutal suppression. The volume of graphic content emerging from the region—whether from wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Gaza, or from protest movements in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Bahrain, Tunisia and Morocco—is unparalleled. As pointed out in a 2015 Columbia Journalism Review article on the subject, vicarious trauma is perhaps most harmful when reporters feel a connection to the media — something unavoidable for many journalists working in social newsgathering in the region.

Given the significant risks to the mental well-being of our colleagues, how can we as senior editors act to ensure our team is protected to the greatest extent possible? There are excellent resources that should be considered essential reading for understanding vicarious trauma and its impact and mitigation strategies. The strategies to address vicarious trauma broadly fall into three categories:

Acknowledging the problem & creating a supportive environment

 The first step in dealing with vicarious trauma is to acknowledge the emotional difficulty of viewing distressing eyewitness content, and creating a supportive environment for reporters. This could mean making sure that team members are themselves aware of the risks of vicarious trauma, creating opportunities to discuss and share experiences of vicarious trauma (such as regular team debriefings). According to Bruce Shapiro, Executive Director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: "The single most important thing we know from every study that has ever been done on effective treatments and programmes, is peer support. Social connection for people exposed to trauma is the single best predictor of resilience. Social isolation is the single best predictor of difficulty.”

In addition to providing adequate emotional support, other factors that can aid colleagues’ in dealing with traumatic content include ensuring their physical workspace is as comfortable as possible: provide natural light, and make sure reporters take regular breaks throughout the day to leave the desk.

- Design work plans with trauma in mind: There are several simple steps for organising the day to day tasks of social newsgathering that editors can take to protect their colleagues.

    - Limit exposure: Turn down audio volume (which has a particularly distressing impact) on videos; ensure that reporters aren’t viewing content that won’t be used or broadcast; view only as much of a video as is required, and only as many times as absolutely required; and ensure that violent and graphic content is viewed on as small a portion of computer monitors as possible. Be aware that introducing new platforms into your social newsgathering suite can introduce new risks around traumatic content.

    - Avoid surprise: Unexpected exposure to violent or graphic content is more traumatic than viewing content when a reporter is mentally prepared to view content. Ensure that newsroom content management systems provide adequate warnings for traumatic content, and if sharing traumatic content with colleagues be sure to highlight the distressing nature of the content. Build policies and workflows that take maximum care to limit unexpected exposure.

    - Share the burden: Designing rotation systems that ensure no one reporter is routinely left working alone on eyewitness media for extended periods and make sure reporters take periods away from social newsgathering to work on less distressing content.

- Provide adequate health care: Ensure that reporters have access to counselling and mental health professionals trained to deal with different forms of PTSD. Review health insurance and other organisational policies to ensure they take into account the risks faced by reporters working with eyewitness media.

Conclusion

The behind-the-scenes work of senior editors in newsrooms can often go unnoticed and under appreciated — but we should be careful not to undervalue the indispensable role they play in setting up and maintaining a newsroom’s social newsgathering operation. The broader social newsgathering community, as well as editors themselves, have to do more to create space for the discussion of editorial and management challenges in the field, and support the creation of more training resources for editors. 

This article first appeared as a chapter in the book "Finding Truth Amongst the Fakes."

More Articles

Monitoring of Journalistic Malpractices in Gaza Coverage

On this page, the editorial team of the Al Jazeera Journalism Review will collect news published by media institutions about the current war on Gaza that involves disinformation, bias, or professional journalistic standards and its code of ethics.

A picture of the Al Jazeera Media Institute's logo, on a white background.
Al Jazeera Journalism Review Published on: 25 Mar, 2024
Silenced Voices: The Battle for Free Expression Amid India’s Farmer’s Protest

The Indian government's use of legal mechanisms to suppress dissenting voices and news reports raises questions about transparency and freedom of expression. The challenges faced by independent media in India indicate a broader narrative of controlling the narrative and stifling dissenting voices.

Suvrat Arora
Suvrat Arora Published on: 17 Mar, 2024
Targeting Truth: Assault on Female Journalists in Gaza

For female journalists in Palestine, celebrating international women's rights this year must take a backseat, as they continue facing the harsh realities of conflict. March 8th will carry little celebration for them, as they grapple with the severe risks of violence, mass displacement, and the vulnerability of abandonment amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Their focus remains on bearing witness to human suffering and sharing stories of resilience from the frontlines, despite the personal dangers involved in their work.

Fatima Bashir
Fatima Bashir Published on: 14 Mar, 2024
A Woman's Journey Reporting on Pakistan's Thrilling Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally

A Woman's Voice in the Desert: Navigating the Spotlight

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 8 Mar, 2024
Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Citizen Journalists in India's Fight for Media Inclusion

Grassroots journalists from marginalized communities in India, including Dalits and Muslims, are challenging mainstream media narratives and bringing attention to underreported issues through digital outlets like The Mooknayak.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 3 Mar, 2024
Why Journalists are Speaking out Against Western Media Bias in Reporting on Israel-Palestine

Over 1500 journalists from various US news organizations have signed an open letter criticizing the Western media's coverage of Israel's actions against Palestinians. They accuse newsrooms of dehumanizing rhetoric, bias, and the use of inflammatory language that reinforces stereotypes, lack of context, misinformation, biased language, and the focus on certain perspectives while diminishing others. They call for more accurate and critical coverage, the use of well-defined terms like "apartheid" and "ethnic cleansing," and the inclusion of Palestinian voices in reporting.

Belle de Jong journalist
Belle de Jong Published on: 26 Feb, 2024
Silenced Voices and Digital Resilience: The Case of Quds Network

Unrecognized journalists in conflict zones face serious risks to their safety and lack of support. The Quds Network, a Palestinian media outlet, has been targeted and censored, but they continue to report on the ground in Gaza. Recognition and support for independent journalists are crucial.

Yousef Abu Watfe يوسف أبو وطفة
Yousef Abu Watfeh Published on: 21 Feb, 2024
Artificial Intelligence's Potentials and Challenges in the African Media Landscape

How has the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence impacted newsroom operations, job security and regulation in the African media landscape? And how are journalists in Africa adapting to these changes?

Derick M
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 18 Feb, 2024
Media Blackout on Imran Khan and PTI: Analysing Pakistan's Election Press Restrictions

Implications and response to media censorship and the deliberate absence of coverage for the popular former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the media during the 2024 elections in Pakistan.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 14 Feb, 2024
Digital Battlegrounds: The New Broadcasting Bill and Independent Journalism in India

New legislation in India threatens the freedom of independent journalism. The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 grants the government extensive power to regulate and censor content, potentially suppressing news critical of government policies.

Safina
Safina Nabi Published on: 11 Feb, 2024
Pegasus Spyware: A Grave Threat to Journalists in Southeast Asia

The widespread deployment of spyware such as Pegasus in Southeast Asia, used by governments to target opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, presents significant challenges in countering digital surveillance. This is due to its clandestine operations and the political intricacies involved. The situation underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and heightened public awareness to address these human rights infringements.

AJR Contributor Published on: 5 Feb, 2024
Media Monopoly in Brazil: How Dominant Media Houses Control the Narrative and Stifle Criticism of Israel

An in-depth analysis exploring the concentration of media ownership in Brazil by large companies, and how this shapes public and political narratives, particularly by suppressing criticism of Israel.

Al Jazeera Logo
Rita Freire & Ahmad Al Zobi Published on: 1 Feb, 2024
Cameroonian Media Martyrs: The Intersection of Journalism and Activism

Experts and journalists in Cameroon disagree on the relationship between journalism and activism: some say journalism is activism; others think they are worlds apart, while another category says a “very thin” line separate both

Nalova Akua
Nalova Akua Published on: 28 Jan, 2024
Silent Suffering: The Impact of Sexual Harassment on African Newsrooms

Sexual harassment within newsrooms and the broader journalistic ecosystem is affecting the quality and integrity of journalistic work, ultimately impacting the organisation’s integrity and revenue.

Derick M
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 23 Jan, 2024
In the Courtroom and Beyond: Covering South Africa's Historic Legal Case Against Israel at The Hague

As South Africa takes on Israel at the International Court of Justice, the role of journalists in covering this landmark case becomes more crucial than ever. Their insights and reporting bring the complexities of international law to a global audience.

Hala Ahed
Hala Ahed Published on: 12 Jan, 2024
Embedded journalism: Striking a balance between access and impartiality in war zones

The ethical implications of embedded journalism, particularly in the Israeli invasion of Gaza, raise concerns about the compromise of balance and independence in war coverage.

Abeer Ayyoub
Abeer Ayyoub Published on: 19 Dec, 2023
Does international law protect Palestinian journalists?

International humanitarian law provides some protection for journalists, but there is a lack of effective measures against crimes committed against them. The Israeli occupation's impunity and lack of accountability for war crimes against civilians, including journalists, is a crisis for international law.

Badia Al-Sawan
Badia Al-Sawan Published on: 12 Dec, 2023
Through a Mexican lens: Navigating the intricacies of reporting in Palestine

A Mexican journalist's journey through the complexities of reporting on Palestine and gives tips on how to manage this kind of coverage.

Témoris Grecko
Témoris Grecko Published on: 10 Dec, 2023
This Indian fact-checking newsroom is at the forefront of the fight against disinformation on the war in Gaza

In the digital battleground of Gaza's war, a surge of disinformation, primarily from Indian Hindu nationalists, paints Palestinians negatively, fueled by Islamophobia and pro-Israeli sentiments; yet, Alt News emerges as a crucial counterforce, diligently fact-checking and debunking these misleading narratives, even in Arabic, amidst a sea of manipulated social media content.

Meer Faisal
Meer Faisal Published on: 5 Dec, 2023
Echos of Israeli Discourse in Latin American Media on Gaza

Heavily influenced by US and Israeli diplomatic efforts, Latin American media predominantly aligns with and amplifies the Israeli perspective. This divergence between political actions and media representation highlights the complex dynamics shaping Latin American coverage of the Gaza conflict.

Rita Freire Published on: 23 Nov, 2023
Why have opposition parties in India issued a boycott of 14 TV presenters?

Media workers in India argue that boycotts of individual journalists are not the answer to pro-Government reporting bias

Saurabh Sharma
Saurabh Sharma Published on: 23 Oct, 2023
Punishing the popular: the suspension of a youth magazine in Vietnam

Media outlets not directly affiliated with the state are not allowed to produce ‘news’ in Vietnam - but the loose definition of ‘news’ means many fall foul of the rules

headshot
AJR Correspondent Published on: 19 Oct, 2023
When journalism and artificial intelligence come face to face

What does the future really hold for journalism and artificial intelligence?

Amira
Amira Zahra Imouloudene Published on: 12 Oct, 2023
The bombs raining down on Gaza from Israel are beyond scary, beyond crazy

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: As Israel bombarded Gaza for the third night, I found myself closer to a missile hit than I could have imagined

Maram
Maram Humaid Published on: 11 Oct, 2023