Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Taking Care survey?

This survey of Canadian media workers aims to gather data on well-being, work stress and mental health within our industry. This is the first large-scale survey of its kind to be undertaken in Canada. The goal is to establish a nationwide snapshot to help newsrooms, journalism schools, industry associations and unions better understand and support journalists.

Who do we want to complete this survey?

Journalist and/or Media worker are defined as: reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, producers, assignment staff, managers, executives, chasers, writers, leaders, assistants, technicians, researchers, hosts – anyone who does editorial work within the news industry.

We want to survey media workers who work in a variety of capacities as regular employees or freelancers at national, provincial, and local print, broadcast, and digital news outlets in Canada.

 We are looking to hear from media workers from every province and territory in Canada.

How was I selected for this survey?

You may have received an invitation to take part because you were identified as currently working within the Canadian news media industry, or you have worked in the industry within the last five years.

The Taking Care survey is for all those who are currently working or those who have worked in the media industry in the last five years.

Who is the audience for the survey results?

The survey results are to help news industry workers themselves, as well as newsrooms, journalism schools, industry associations and unions better understand the health impact of the work we do.

The results will help shed light on the current state of mental health and well-being in the Canadian journalism industry to raise awareness, highlight gaps in training and support, and ultimately to help our industry and our journalists thrive and succeed. 

Who is sponsoring this survey?

This research is led by Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication assistant professor Matthew Pearson with journalist and trainer Dave Seglins (CBC), in partnership with the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma (CJFVT), and the Canadian Association of Journalists.    

How will the data be used?

The Taking Care survey will provide useful information on:

●      The current state of mental health and well-being of media workers

●      Any gaps in supports available to Canadian media workers

●      The impact of exposure to traumatic events on daily work activities, well-being and recovery

●      The types of formal and informal resources available to Canadian media workers

●      Experiences of racism and discrimination

●      Differences in resiliency and well-being 

The survey results can be used to:

●      Help Canadian media workplaces establish better workplace practices and policies

●      Identify areas for improvement

●      Contribute a Canadian perspective to the international research on this topic

●      Tailor trauma support services to better meet the needs of workers

●      Identify risks of harm

●      Develop and deliver strategies to improve resilience

What kinds of questions will I be asked?

The Taking Care survey asks questions about the types of risks or hazards you have experienced as a media worker, your previous working experience with traumatic events or disasters, whether you have encountered harassment as a media worker, and the steps or coping strategies you and your workplace take to mitigate mental distress and traumatic responses on the job.

This survey was developed in consultation with experts in the field of journalism and trauma including Dr. Anthony Feinstein, a leading academic expert on mental health of journalists, and a founding member of the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma.

How is my privacy and personal information protected?

Your participation is anonymous.

Published results will report only on aggregated findings – data from multiple respondents that are averaged by region, age or by other means.

In some instances, these reports may be illustrated by short, anonymous quotations carefully selected to not divulge identifying information about the participant.

The web-based survey uses the Qualtrics XM survey software. The data is stored on servers located in Toronto, Canada. You can find more information on Qualtrics’s data management practices here.

All research data will be password-protected and any hard copies will be kept in a locked cabinet at Carleton University.

Why do you want to know about my professional media affiliation?

Providing your association to a Canadian media outlet (who you work for) is entirely OPTIONAL.

We hope to analyze the survey results across sectors, job roles, media platforms and companies.

Remember, your participation is anonymous and respondents' individual answers are completely confidential.

How many people are being invited to complete the survey?

We seek to engage 3,000 people to complete the survey.

Where can I find out more information about the Taking Care survey?

For more information about the Taking Care survey, please contact the survey team by e-mail at takingcaresurvey@journalismforum.ca.

When will the results of this survey be published?

The survey results are expected to be published by spring 2022.

How can I access the published results?

The final report will be published on the website of the Canadian Journalism Forum of Violence and Trauma at http://www.journalismforum.ca/taking-care-survey-results.