UK Probe Finds Nearly Half of Journalists Self-Censor Over Safety Fears
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 26
UK Probe Finds Nearly Half of Journalists Self-Censor Over Safety Fears
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 26
Summary
531 journalists surveyed in a government-backed UK investigation said safety fears are reshaping coverage, with almost half less willing to report certain stories and about a third changing what or how they cover them.
Rightwing anti-immigration protests, the Trump administration and trans issues were repeatedly cited as flashpoints, with reporters describing intimidation at events, online abuse and efforts to identify and locate them after publication.
Female journalists reported the worst harassment — including sexualised threats and appearance-based abuse — while investigators said newsrooms often treated the risks as inevitable in a polarised climate and expected staff to stay "thick-skinned."
55 in-depth interviews also found live video and social platforms have made reporters more identifiable, compounding pressure from declining trust in media, "fake news" rhetoric and the rise of large-audience citizen journalists.
The NUJ said the findings show a chilling effect on press freedom, while the government said it is working with the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists to counter harassment and threats.