Trauma on the News Frontlines: Mental Health and Coping Among Bangladeshi Field Journalists A Mixed-Methods Study of Psychological Risks and Resilience in Crisis Reporting

Abstract

This article presents the first mixed-methods study of Bangladeshi field journalists’ trauma reporting, addressing a critical gap in research on media in the Global South. Journalists often serve as first responders to crises covering pandemics, protests, and disasters while exposing themselves to psychological harm. Although international studies have documented high rates of PTSD, depression, and burnout, systematic evidence from South Asia has been limited. This study examines the mental health effects of trauma reporting in Bangladesh from 2020 to 2025, a period marked by COVID-19, political unrest, and mass casualty disasters. A survey of 100 journalists, along with 15 in-depth interviews, found that 10% met criteria for PTSD, increasing to 20% among high-exposure groups; 15% reported moderate to severe depression, 20% anxiety, and 30% burnout. Two-thirds showed symptoms of depression, and 79% expressed life dissatisfaction. Coping strategies included peer support (70%) and religious reflection (40%), but maladaptive responses such as avoidance (55%) and substance use (30%) were common. Institutional support was nearly absent until 2025, when programs like Khola Janala counseling and gender-focused para-counselor initiatives were introduced but remain limited. The findings confirm that Bangladeshi journalists face mental health risks similar to war correspondents, yet without systemic protections, underscoring the urgent need for counseling services, trauma-informed newsroom reforms, and stigma reduction efforts to preserve press freedom.