How terrorist attack survivors view their interactions with the media

Among survivors of the 2011 Utøya Island terrorist attack in Norway, most perceived contact with media as a positive experience. Among those who allowed themselves to be interviewed by the media, 13% found the experience distressing and 11% regretted participating.

Taking part in media interviews was not associated with post-traumatic stress reactions among survivors, but negative evaluations and regrets about participation were.

"Media representatives need to understand that they may add to the burden of survivors if they are not sufficiently careful, and clinicians should be aware of media exposure as a potential additional strain on victims," said Dr. Siri Thoresen, lead author of the Journal of Traumatic Stress study.