
Psychosocial support
Online violence can have real consequences for journalists. Journalists report that online harassment has a detrimental effect on their health and also prevents them from doing their jobs effectively. Accessing support and assistance can be an important step to helping those who are targeted online.
Next Steps
Fostering a culture of safety in the newsroom
Creating a culture in the newsroom, so journalists feel supported, is an important step when it comes to protecting the wellbeing of staff. This should include recognizing that online abuse disportionately targets some journalists more than others, including women journalists, journalists of color, non-binary journalists and LGBTQIA+ journalists, which means it’s especially important to have mechanisms to support them. This could include mentoring support for junior members of staff as well creating opportunities for people to speak about abuse, for example in informal chats. Media outlets should also consider how to support freelancers who are experiencing online abuse as a direct result of work carried out for the media outlet.
Establishing policies and procedures
Having robust and clear policies for reporting online harassment is also important to ensure that staff feel supported. These policies should be made widely available to staff. See our guide to newsroom protocols for more information on this.
Access to psychological support
Where possible journalists should be given the opportunity to access professional help for trauma resulting from online violence.
Creating peer-support networks
Informal support networks in newsrooms have proved successful when it comes to supporting staff with issues related to online violence. This can include the setting up of group chats on messaging apps where journalists can inform others about the abuse they are facing and exchange strategies and techniques with each other to help in managing the abuse.
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Additional Resources
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International Press Institute
Detailed protocols on everything from reporting harassment to providing public statements of support.
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International Press Institute
Guidance for supporting journalists with the emotional toll of dealing with online abuse.
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International Press Institute and the Dart Centre
Video tutorials with coping strategies for dealing with online abuse and guidance for newsrooms on how to create peer-support networks.
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International Press Institute with Reuters and the BBC
Guidance on creating peer-support networks in the newsroom using models created by Reuters and the BBC.
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New York Times
An article on self-care for Black journalists written by Black journalists and editors.
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Asian American Journalists’ Association
A collection of mental wellness resources for AAPI journalists.
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PEN America
A list of advice adapted from a PEN America interview with psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldmann Barrett.