ABU News webinar puts spotlight on journalists’ mental health

A recent ABU News webinar raised urgent concerns about the hidden mental health crisis affecting media workers, calling for an immediate end to treating journalists like machines.

ABU News Director Indra Singh pointed to United Nations findings that more than one billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions, noting that journalists are part of this figure but their struggles are often ignored.

Christian Porter, CEO of the Public Media Alliance, shared research showing that many journalists report anxiety and distress, with a significant number of newsrooms offering no mental health support. He emphasized that news organizations cannot function without healthy staff and stressed that investing in well-being benefits both employees and employers.

MediaStrong founder Leona O'Neill spoke about her own traumatic experiences, describing how constant exposure to violence and disturbing content can leave journalists at risk of burnout, PTSD, and other health problems. Speakers urged newsroom leaders to change workplace culture and put staff well-being at the center, warning that the future of journalism depends on it.