Distress among journalists working the incidents

Suddenlyoccurring large‐scale crises, such as mass shootings, are at the heart of thenews (Brayne, 2007). Journalists immediately start covering the unfoldingevents, and are expected to rapidly create products for several mediaplatforms. A journalist’s job description in a crisis differs from other crisisoccupational groups on several levels. For example, journalists are the onlygroup present at a crisis scene with a main work description that does notfocus on handling the actual crisis, but rather to inform the public about whathas happened (Englund, 2008; Newman, Shapiro, & Nelson, 2009). In addition,while first responders and other rescue personnel often deal with emergencieson a regular basis, most journalists are only sporadically exposed to crisis‐relatedassignments (Smith, Newman, & Drevo, 2015). Journalistic work related tocrises is not limited to only those journalists who are present at the crisisscene. The work description may also include combinations of tasks andsettings, such as carrying out tasks from one’s home office or doing interviewselsewhere with individuals indirectly affected by the event (Weidmann &Papsdorf, 2010). To understand how journalists may be affected psychologicallyby large‐scale incidents, such as a mass shooting, one must have insight intothe occupation‐specific conditions and expectations related to news reportingfollowing crisis events.