Centre of Excellence Strengthening journalism for a resilient democracy

The Mindful Media Lab supports media professionals and media organisations in effectively managing stress. In this way, we strengthen their resilience – and, in turn, the democratic public sphere.

Our philosophy

Areas of work

At the Mindful Media Lab, we bring together research, teaching, and knowledge transfer to strengthen the mental health of media professionals. Each of these areas helps foster journalistic resilience as a foundation for democratic resilience. The Lab combines academic insight, professional development, and practical experience. In doing so, we strengthen press freedom—and, ultimately, democracy.

Research

We systematically conduct research into the pressures faced by media professionals. We evaluate the effectiveness of support services and work to improve them. In this way, the Mindful Media Lab contributes to an informed debate within the media industry.

Teaching

We regard resilience as a key leadership skill. Through our Master’s programmes and professional development courses at the Institute for Culture and Media Management, we teach participants how to deal with stress in a professional manner and enhance mental health literacy in both training and practice.

Transfer

We translate our research into practical applications and contribute to public discourse. Through dialogue-based initiatives, we foster a broad societal discussion about the pressures faced by journalists and their significance for democratic public spheres. We promote individual and organisational resilience and support newsrooms through periods of change, enabling them to fulfil their social responsibilities.

Direct support Support for Journalists

Whether you’re facing an immediate crisis or have general questions — the Mindful Media Lab is building a growing network of support services.
Netzwerk Recherche’s helpline is already available free of charge. Calls are treated confidentially and anonymously.

Visit the Helpline website

Call now — free and anonymous.
030 - 7543 7633

Available: Monday – Friday, 6–7 pm

Outside these hours, you can leave a message on our answering machine. We’ll call you back if you’d like. Or send us an email: helpline(at)nrch.de

Don’t like talking on the phone? Then send us a message on Signal (journalisten_helpline.26).

We work ... ...together

The Mindful Media Lab operates as a network. It brings together people who, in their very different roles, deal with stress in journalism: in newsrooms, in research, in education, in professional bodies and associations, and in related fields.

The network is the foundation of the Lab. It ensures that encounters and exchanges on the topic are not left to chance – and that knowledge about stress and its consequences does not remain anecdotal, but is scientifically grounded.

Practical experience and observations are combined with academic analysis and support. This gives rise to shared questions and concrete solutions for everyday editorial work. The Mindful Media Lab creates its own formats and forums for this exchange. Our goal: to learn from one another.

Leadership Leadership is about caring

Leadership in newsrooms means taking responsibility for people and for the news coverage: through decisions, through communication, and through what is noticed or overlooked. Leadership often also means: swearing, wrestling, fighting. To build circulation and subscribers and to uphold editorial independence. In this context, care means, above all, clarity. It is the foundation that ensures journalistic work remains possible even under pressure. The Mindful Media Lab supports editorial leaders in this – through training and dialogue formats.

In development The Lab is growing

The Mindful Media Lab is continuing to expand its activities in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. We will be expanding our range of services in the coming months. Interested partners from the media, academia, foundations and other organisations are warmly invited to get in touch with us. This will enable the Lab and its network to continue growing. Further information on our projects and initiatives will follow shortly.

Management and Contact Details Mindful Media Lab
Prof. Dr. Barbara Hans

Get in touch

Why this is important

A democracy needs independent journalism. Harassment, online abuse and physical attacks threaten the work of many media professionals – and, by extension, press freedom. Resilient media are essential for a resilient democracy.