Moral distress and injury in American journalism.

In a small newsroom, the editor-in-chief watches helplessly as the newspaper falls apart due to hedge fund costs.cutting. A reporter covering the immigration crisis finds himself haunted by the suffering he witnesses, feeling helpless, and obsessed as he watches his friends and family ignore the problem. In newsrooms across the country, journalists struggle with the task of presenting. “both sides” Even if one side isn’t telling the truth.

Despite their vital role, journalists often work in disadvantaged environments, facing public skepticism fueled by the actions of those who produce irresponsible or sensational news. These are not isolated stories, but part of a growing crisis of moral pain and injury in journalism.

What are potentially morally harmful events?

Events in which deeply held personal values ​​are violated in situations with serious consequences (Griffin et al., 2019; Litz et al., 2009) can be considered potentially morally harmful events (PMIEs).

For many reporters, their work is more than just a job, it is a deeply moral pursuit rooted in multiple layers of influence. “I see it as a calling, just like some people are called to the priesthood.” one journalist looked back.

This sense of mission emphasizes that moral Social behavior in journalism is shaped by a web of individual, familial, cultural, societal, and legal expectations for social behavior (Farnsworth et al., 2014; Litz et al., 2009). When shared values ​​such as consideration, fairness, and loyalty (Haidt, 2012) are violated or violated, it can create deep conflict and distress within journalists.

Note: Any threat to the news media is a PMIE for all of us. The First Amendment clearly protects freedom of the press. When the institution of journalism is threatened, the health of our democracy is at risk. How can we think about governance if we don’t know what’s actually going on?!

When does PMIE lead to moral distress?

When morality is violated, we can experience moral suffering, the pain that arises from the gap between what we believe and what actually happens (Farnsworth et al., 2017; Litz et al., 2009; Haidt, 2012).

Moral distress may look like a long-term moral emotion, such as: guilt, shamehelplessness, anger, despair. spiritual Crisis and loss of safety, joy, connection, and trust (Smith-MacDonald et al., 2022).

When does moral distress become moral injury?

mental injury This is when moral distress impairs the ability to function in daily life (Farnworth et al., 2017). My clients often say, “I can’t watch the news anymore. It’s so heartbreaking.” Still, most journalists need Keep up with the news cycle and report on what’s next traumaa loss, a morally harmful event, even while serving an often ignored public. Unlike other people, they can’t just turn off the sound without risking their lives.

As a result, many journalists have begun to deal with moral distress through avoidance and unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drug use, overwork, and overwork. ironyunsustainable heroism, and self-blame. This causes even more pain, burnout syndrome, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, interpersonal problems (Browne, Evangeli, & Greenberg, 2012; Seely, 2019; Smith, Drevo, & Newman, 2016);

PMIES Examples of journalist faces

1. Institutional betrayal

Acquisitions of newsrooms by private equity firms, which often result in staff layoffs, circulation cuts and other “cost-cutting” measures, are experienced by affected journalists as a betrayal of the organization. as recorded in the documentary “I removed it to remove parts.” Julie Reynolds (with journalists) 200 other newsrooms) Seeing her newsroom stripped away for profit by certain hedge funds left her and her colleagues unable to serve the community in the way they were dedicated to. The sense of powerlessness in the decline of local news is a morally damaging event, and this situation is becoming increasingly common as hedge funds and corporate executives prioritize profit over public service (Goldsmith, 2023).

2. Witness to human suffering

Journalists covering humanitarian crises often face psychological trauma from witnessing suffering that cannot be alleviated. Feinstein et al. (2018) documented how reporters experienced depression. PTSDthe emotional distress after reporting on families separated at the border and refugees facing violence. The inability to intervene, combined with the pressure to remain “objective”, makes many people uncomfortable. grieveobsessed with what they have seen and powerless to make change.

3. External pressures that undermine the truth

A more subtle but equally corrosive form of moral distress occurs when journalists are pressured to present “both sides” of an issue, even when one side is not factually based. This false balance can be seen in the following coverage. climate change rejectionelection misinformation, public health crises, etc. In some cases, there may be attempts to justify falsehoods or downplay evidence. Many reporters say they feel complicit in spreading misinformation or failing to protect the public from harm.

In some environments, reporters are pressured to avoid certain topics or frame their stories to appease advertisers, owners, or political interests. The resulting self-censorship can be a source of ongoing problems. moral conflict. For example, in November 2023, after 1,200 journalists signed an open letter expressing shame and disgrace; anger Many companies faced employer backlash and disciplinary action over how the crisis in Gaza was covered in Western newspapers.

4. Harassment, personal information disclosure, and other real-world harm

Journalists, especially women and minorities, routinely face online harassment and intimidation, often with little institutional support. This harassment can lead to isolation; anxietya feeling of being abandoned by an employer (Feinstein et al., 2025). Journalists also experience the pain of seeing colleagues fired, harassed, or terminated for upholding ethical standards.

And journalism itself can be dangerous, even deadly. As of August 2025, more than 270 journalists have been killed in Gaza, more than any other major conflict in modern history. In the documentary,love + war,” Lindsey Addario, a Pulitzer Prize-winning conflict zone photojournalist, expresses both a passion for raising awareness of extreme global suffering and a contradictory desire to protect herself and her family from harm (Vasarhelyi & Chin, 2025).

Why is moral violation in journalism important?

Moral injury and distress in journalism is not just a personal struggle, but a threat to the public’s right to know and, ultimately, to our democracy. When journalists are demoralized, traumatized, or silent, the quality and integrity of the news suffers. This weakens democracy, erodes trust, and leaves communities vulnerable to corruption and misinformation.

What can you do?

• Support independent journalism, demand accountability and recognize the human cost of reporting.
• Find and take advantage of news coverage that inspires you! Morally courageous journalism is an antidote to moral suffering (e.g. https://19thnews.org/ and https://mlk50.com/ .
• News organizations should prioritize mental health support and ethics leadershiptransparent decision making. Journalists who experienced higher organizational awareness stress They also report more severe work-related PTSD (Smith et al., 2018).
• Journalists can seek community, professional support, and space to process their moral distress. Please check Journalist Trauma Support Network (JTSN).
• If you are interested, we are offering a free course. ACT for moral distress.

Good journalism, a pillar of civil society, depends on healthy journalists. —Anthony Feinstein