After the Coverage Comes the Damage
While several researches have focused on the mental health of first responders, the mental health of journalists that risked their lives to update the public as the pandemic unfolded has remained under-explored, particularly from the African/Nigerian perspective. It is against this backdrop that this study examines the mental health ‘damages’ that Nigerian journalists faced during the pandemic. Data were generated using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) conducted with 13 Nigerian journalists who reported extensively on the pandemic. Findings suggest that the digital disruption of the usual journalistic routines during the pandemic affected the mental health of the journalists. Participants said they lacked sufficient personal protective gears and this exposed them to the virus as some eventually contracted COVID-19. They faced corofrontation and lacked effective support systems, as some resorted to self-care in managing their mental health during the coverage. Ensuring adequate support systems and resources for journalists are therefore, crucial not only during pandemics but also in building a stronger and more resilient journalism industry for the future.