Interviewing Survivors : A Training for Syrian Women Journalists in Conflict Contexts
As part of its training series on reporting survivor-centred stories during conflict, Women Who Won the War hosted a session led by investigative journalist Mais Katt, focusing on the ethics and techniques of interviewing survivors of war and violence.
The Role of Journalists in Times of Crisis
Mais Katt highlighted the journalist’s responsibility not just to report, but to document conflict and amplify the voices of marginalized groups with accuracy and integrity. She stressed the need to counter misinformation and maintain objectivity, noting that journalists must act as a bridge between survivors and the public, upholding ethical responsibility and preserving the dignity of those affected.
Informed Consent
The training emphasised the importance of obtaining clear and informed consent before interviewing survivors. This involves:
– Identifying the journalist and their media outlet
– Explaining the purpose of the interview and how the content will be used
– Respecting the survivor’s right to withdraw at any time
Mais noted that journalistic standards may vary across outlets; some allow participants to review their contributions before publication, while others do not.
Ethical Conduct with Survivors
Survivors are often in a fragile emotional state. Journalists must handle interviews with care, avoiding retraumatization by steering clear of unnecessary graphic questions. For example, asking about torture details should be avoided unless essential to the story.
Open-ended, non-judgemental questions are key. Questions that imply blame, such as “Why were you there?” or “Why did you leave your child alone?” must be strictly avoided.
Mais encouraged journalists to focus on the human dimension of stories—highlighting resilience, agency, and recovery rather than trauma alone.
Interviewing Children: Special Considerations
The session dedicated a segment to interviewing child survivors, underscoring:
– The necessity of obtaining guardian consent
– Protecting the child’s dignity (e.g. no interviews in distressing conditions)
– Allowing the child to stop the interview at any time
Offering money or compensation to children or families was strongly discouraged, as it could affect credibility and exploit vulnerability.
Verifying Testimonies
Verification should be done carefully and respectfully. Journalists may use follow-up questions or cross-reference with documents and field sources, without casting doubt on the survivor’s narrative.
Preparation Matters
Proper editorial and technical preparation shows respect for the interviewee and strengthens the story. This includes researching the survivor’s background, understanding the story context, and ensuring a suitable, secure setting
Mental Health and Self-Care for Journalists
Covering traumatic stories can impact journalists’ mental wellbeing. Mais highlighted the importance of emotional boundaries, seeking professional support when needed, and engaging in self-care to avoid burnout.
The Role of Journalists in Times of Crisis
Mais Katt highlighted the journalist’s responsibility not just to report, but to document conflict and amplify the voices of marginalized groups with accuracy and integrity. She stressed the need to counter misinformation and maintain objectivity, noting that journalists must act as a bridge between survivors and the public, upholding ethical responsibility and preserving the dignity of those affected.
Informed Consent
The training emphasised the importance of obtaining clear and informed consent before interviewing survivors. This involves:
– Identifying the journalist and their media outlet
– Explaining the purpose of the interview and how the content will be used
– Respecting the survivor’s right to withdraw at any time
Mais noted that journalistic standards may vary across outlets; some allow participants to review their contributions before publication, while others do not.
Ethical Conduct with Survivors
Survivors are often in a fragile emotional state. Journalists must handle interviews with care, avoiding retraumatization by steering clear of unnecessary graphic questions. For example, asking about torture details should be avoided unless essential to the story.
Open-ended, non-judgemental questions are key. Questions that imply blame, such as “Why were you there?” or “Why did you leave your child alone?” must be strictly avoided.
Mais encouraged journalists to focus on the human dimension of stories—highlighting resilience, agency, and recovery rather than trauma alone.
Interviewing Children: Special Considerations
The session dedicated a segment to interviewing child survivors, underscoring:
– The necessity of obtaining guardian consent
– Protecting the child’s dignity (e.g. no interviews in distressing conditions)
– Allowing the child to stop the interview at any time
Offering money or compensation to children or families was strongly discouraged, as it could affect credibility and exploit vulnerability.
Verifying Testimonies
Verification should be done carefully and respectfully. Journalists may use follow-up questions or cross-reference with documents and field sources, without casting doubt on the survivor’s narrative.
Preparation Matters
Proper editorial and technical preparation shows respect for the interviewee and strengthens the story. This includes researching the survivor’s background, understanding the story context, and ensuring a suitable, secure setting
Mental Health and Self-Care for Journalists
Covering traumatic stories can impact journalists’ mental wellbeing. Mais highlighted the importance of emotional boundaries, seeking professional support when needed, and engaging in self-care to avoid burnout.
This training is available in Arabic only.
Watch the full session on YouTube:
Watch the full session on YouTube: