Belgrade, 8 October 2026 – How can journalists report on mass shootings and other traumatic events in a way that keeps the public informed in a timely manner while protecting the dignity of victims, survivors and their families? And how can we support journalists who are exposed to trauma through their work?

These questions were discussed today by journalists, editors, photographers and other media professionals from Serbia and the region at a panel discussion entitled “Trauma-Informed Journalism: Ethical Reporting in Turbulent Times”, held at the United Nations building in Belgrade.

The event was organised by the group Journalists Against Violence Against Women, in cooperation with the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma (GCJT) and journalists’ associations, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Serbia.

Particular attention was given to media coverage of the mass shootings in Belgrade, Dubona and Malo Orašje in May 2023. At the beginning of the event, participants were presented with the findings of the Analysis of Media Coverage of the Mass Shootings in May 2023 in Belgrade, Dubona and Malo Orašje, prepared by Journalists Against Violence Against Women with UNDP support.

The analysis found that coverage of the May 2023 mass shootings was largely informative, but often lacked sufficient context and included sensationalism, a focus on perpetrators and risks of secondary victimisation for families and survivors. At the same time, the media played an important watchdog role in examining institutional accountability. However, their potential to contribute to long-term recovery, dignified remembrance and public awareness of available support services remained underutilised. The analysis's key recommendation is to shift the focus away from perpetrators and the sensationalisation of tragedy towards victims, the public interest, the accountability of relevant institutions, and long-term reporting on the consequences and recovery process.

“The way we talk about violence influences both how we, as a society, understand it and how we respond to it. When reporting on traumatic events, responsible journalism is not only a matter of professional standards, but also of trust, empathy and social responsibility. That is why it is important to come together and discuss how to keep the public informed while protecting the dignity and privacy of people affected by tragedy, as well as the well-being of those reporting on it,” said Jelena Manić Petronikolos, Head of the Sustainable Development Goals Integration Center at UNDP Serbia.

Part of the discussion focused on the professional and ethical dilemmas media organisations face during crises, from verifying information and communicating with families and witnesses to the pressure to publish information as quickly as possible and assessing what is in the public interest.

“When it comes to mass violence, disasters and other civic tragedies, journalists are the public’s eyes and ears while also bearing witnesses for survivors. So reporting on trauma is a delicate balance, demanding  special skill, rigor and ethical commitment. But covering trauma also can take a toll on journalists themselves, which at its worst turns into a sort of silent censorship. The news industry’s duty of care is an essential element of press freedom,” said Bruce Shapiro, Executive Director of the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma.

Special attention was also given to the impact of reporting on traumatic stories on journalists themselves. Exposure to violence, human suffering and distressing content can have long-term consequences for their well-being, making support within newsrooms an important part of responsible journalism.

The discussion also addressed the ethical challenges of visual reporting. Participants highlighted the importance of a responsible approach to selecting and using photographs and video footage, with full respect for the privacy and dignity of victims and survivors, and a clear distinction between serving the public interest and sensationalism.

The panels featured Bruce Shapiro, Katherine Porterfield and Gavin Rees from the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma; journalists Dragana Erjavec, Jovana Gligorijević and Veran Matić; and photographer Marija Janković.

“Ethical standards are not a set of prohibitions. They should help journalists and editors make responsible decisions, even in the most difficult circumstances – when there is little time, when it is difficult to establish which information is accurate, when public pressure is immense and when the consequences of publication can be particularly serious. Yet we often overlook another important issue. This is why it is especially significant that the analysis by Journalists Against Violence Against Women also examines the trauma experienced by media professionals as a result of what they have witnessed and documented, and how it affects their future professional decisions,” said Gordana Novaković, Secretary-General of the Press Council.

Concluding the discussion, participants highlighted the need to further develop practical guidelines to help media organisations respond to the public’s need for information during crises while respecting the dignity and rights of those affected and safeguarding the well-being of media professionals.

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The event was organised as part of the Reduce Risk – Increase Safety III project, implemented by UNDP in Serbia with support from the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Sweden, the French Republic, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Norway, as well as the European Union, through the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control Roadmap Multi-Partner Trust Fund.