safety


abuse “


The problem can be exacerbated by pressure on journalists


to gain a high profile, in the community. Publication of their pictures makes them even more vulnerable. This is not something young reporters are generally prepared for, which creates pressure on news editors and editors to offer pastoral support. “We don’t build it into our training programmes,” says


Harman. “We say ‘you must have a Facebook profile and have people connect with you’. The more high profile you are, the more abuse you attract. It shouldn’t be the price you pay.” In January, Harman presented her findings to the National


Committee for the Safety of Journalists, set up by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Its members include representatives from the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. The police, she says, are keen for journalists to report


serious incidents of abuse, especially when they include threats of violence. “They are taking it really seriously,” she says. “The problem before is that we were not reporting it enough.” A national action plan, approved by the committee,


was published by DCMS in March. Measures include better training for police officers, plus a commitment from social media platforms to take tough action against abusers. Every police force will have a designated journalist safety


Levels of public discourse are parlous and have been for many years. Journalists are at the sharp end of that


”


liaison officer, while online platforms that fail to protect users will face sanctions, including fines of up to 10 per cent of turnover or having services blocked. A forthcoming online safety bill will enshrine protections for journalistic content and free debate online in law. NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet, a committee member, says the action plan must be the start of a process that leads to journalists working without fear of abuse or harassment. “It’s a major plan that involves a lot of major stakeholders,” she adds. “It addresses a lot of difficulties our members are finding on the ground.” By and large, says Michelle, the response of publishers has been poor, although there are isolated examples of publishers taking steps, such as paying for a reporter to move home. Ian Murray, former executive director of the Society of Editors, believes threats to journalists have grown because of social media and politicians such as Donald Trump using the mantra of ‘fake news’ to cast aspersions on journalists’ credibility. “What’s fuelling it is a lack of respect for journalists which, a fair amount of time, comes from politicians and other leaders,” he says. In January, equalities minister Kemi Badenoch used Twitter


to attack Nadine White, then of the Huff Post, describing her reporting as “creepy and bizarre”. The minister published letters that White (now at The Independent) had sent to Badenoch, asking for a quote for a story about Covid-19 vaccinations. Allegra Stratton, press secretary to Boris Johnson and a former journalist, later defended Badenoch, claiming her response had been civilised. The NUJ survey found examples of journalists censoring


their own copy because they feared the abuse they would otherwise receive. “Levels of public discourse are parlous and have been for many years,” adds Michelle. “Journalists are at the sharp end of that.” Publishers are generally reluctant to discuss the problem. Reach said in a statement that all incidents of abuse are recorded, and journalists offered emotional support via its employee assistance programme. It was unwilling to go into further detail, while a reporter at a Reach title questioned whether the process works effectively. So, it is inevitable that journalists must learn to cope with trolls, abusive comments or worse, and perhaps treat it as part of the job? At what point do you say that enough is enough and call it a day? For Riley, it is partly a matter of reputation. She fears calling somebody and being recognised as the person who receives regular abuse on Facebook, though this has not happened yet. “So long as it doesn’t affect my professional reputation, I will carry on,” she says.


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