Sensational images from disaster scenes and the recurring portrayal of grieving families have raised concerns about the media's role in exacerbating trauma for victims and the public. In response, the government has introduced guidelines aimed at fostering a safer culture of disaster reporting.
On September 9, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Mental Health Center announced the results of their research on enhancing disaster reporting monitoring tools and developing a checklist. This initiative aims to implement the 'Disaster Reporting Guidelines for Trauma Prevention,' established in 2022, in real-world reporting scenarios, expanding the focus to include coverage during memorial periods.
The research team analyzed coverage of major disasters, including the 2024 12·29 passenger plane crash, the 2025 massive wildfires in Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan, and the 2022 Itaewon tragedy. They found that the sensational nature of reporting varies over time but remains a consistent issue.
Immediately following disasters, reports often feature 'graphic expressions and shocking scenes' (up to 30.6%) without filters. In contrast, during memorial periods, scenes of grieving families (up to 50%) replace these images, causing additional harm to victims and triggering trauma for the public.
Focus group interviews revealed that families directly affected by disasters cited 'unauthorized filming' and 'repeated individual contact' from reporters as more distressing than the sensational content itself.
General news consumers also noted that sensational reporting leads them to avoid news altogether, diminishing public interest in accountability and effective measures.
To address these issues, the National Mental Health Center plans to distribute a disaster reporting checklist. This checklist is organized into four stages: before the incident (pre-deployment), during the incident (on-site reporting), after the incident (reporting, follow-up, and recovery), with clear responsibilities assigned to on-site 'reporters,' 'desk' editors, and 'news organizations.'
For example, desk editors must assess reporters' past trauma experiences and current stress levels before deployment, while reporters are required to confirm the physical and psychological state of sources and obtain prior consent for filming.
Importantly, if a source exhibits signs of distress or inconsistent statements, reporters must immediately postpone their coverage. The checklist will be made available in a PDF format that is easy for on-site reporters to access via mobile messaging.
Additionally, a mechanism will be established for news consumers to actively address problematic reporting. A 'request for reconsideration form' will be developed, allowing viewers or readers to identify and request corrections for sensational scenes, privacy violations, or trauma-inducing expressions.
Nam Yoon-young, head of the National Mental Health Center, stated, 'As the nature of reporting changes over time after a disaster, it is essential to refine the guidelines. We hope that reporters and desk editors will utilize this checklist to prevent re-traumatization of disaster survivors during memorial periods.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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