The New York Times headline glared out on my screen. The words reflected a phenomenon all too common on many progressive, university communities across North America.
“News or ‘Trauma Porn’?,” it began. “Student Journalists Face Blowback on Campus.”
The Nov. 14, 2019 article by Julie Bosman, Mitch Smith, and Kate Taylor highlighted a controversy on Northwestern University and Harvard University campuses after student-run publications at both schools received criticism from students alleging a lack of sensitivity in their reporting practices. These conflicts represent a growing tension between ‘traditional’ objectivity-focussed journalism practices and the increasing demand for empathetic approaches. These demands are becoming more pervasive as standards of best journalistic practice and cultural awareness of sensitivity continue to evolve. Such sentiments underpinned many of the events surrounding the Northwestern incident.