For many people, the images that are currently reaching us from Israel and the Gaza Strip are almost unbearable. Thomas von Grünigen, head of international journalism, about the selection of images and how to deal with disturbing images on Swiss television.
SRF: Where do the images that we see every day in SRF programs such as the Tagesschau or 10vor10 come from?
Thomas von Grünigen: We receive images from all over the world around the clock, currently many from the Middle East. On the one hand, they come from professional image and video agencies. We also follow social media, where people publish their own videos. However, you have to be particularly careful there and check whether the pictures are real and really come from the affected region.
There are a lot of brutal scenes, things that you don’t really want to see. Who is viewing this material?
These are primarily our reporters here in Zurich who specialize in foreign reporting. Together with those responsible for the program, you decide what is relevant on a daily basis. Video editors who edit the images together with the reporters, as well as other employees in the video or online area, are also involved. They are all often confronted with harsh images.
What is shown, where does the SRF set limits?
This is a daily consideration. On the one hand, we have to show the situation as it is. On the other hand, there are clear limits to what is reasonable. It’s also about protecting the victims. For example, we generally don’t show dying or dead people. This is stated in the journalistic guidelines. However, due to their relevance, there are exceptional cases in which we still show sensitive images. But then we may make the faces unrecognizable or, for example, only show still images. In particularly sensitive cases, the head of the department or the editor-in-chief decides.
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How stressful is it for employees who deal with disturbing footage every day?
Bad images like those from Israel and Gaza also put a strain on our employees. The SRF offers all employees professional psychological support. This is an external service that you can contact at any time. This advice is anonymous.
Is there a regular exchange within the team to better process impressions?
Of course, the team and superiors are always open to exchange. This is important in order to notice whether you need to protect or care for someone more. In general, I have the impression that employees today deal with psychological stress more openly and seek external help earlier. There was a certain removal of taboos.
These are images and smells that stay with you for a long time
What stressful moments have you experienced in your professional career?
As a correspondent in the USA, I experienced several natural disasters, hurricanes and forest fires with many deaths. These are images and smells that stay with you for a long time.
Experiencing things as a reporter is one thing. It is much harder for directly affected people who live in affected areas.
Sure, these are the real victims. You have to deal with this damage and loss of loved ones throughout your life. But you have to remember that people who are confronted with such images experience the whole thing internally to a certain extent. The emotions that are evoked should not be underestimated.
The interview was conducted by Céline Werdelis.