Gun threats and sexual harassment reported against US journalists
Gun violence, verbal attacks and sexual harassment are reported by journalists in a US survey made by International Women’s Media Foundation. “For close to a decade the IWMF has heard about these rising threats from its network of women and nonbinary journalists.” The report includes a section on covering the upcoming presidential election. ”Press members have reported feeling at high risk while covering Trump rallies.”
The survey comprises journalists who attended 26 IWMF safety trainings across eleven states.
- 36% (of 597) respondents reported being threatened with or experiencing physical violence while working as a journalist.
- 33% (of 566) respondents reported being threatened with or experiencing digital violence while working as a journalist.
- 28% (of 568) respondents reported legal threats or action against them while working as a journalist.
- 24% (of 582) respondents experienced sexual harassment and an additional 6% (of 582) were threatened with sexual violence.
“In a true blow to press freedom, the journalists who responded to the IWMF’s survey cited police harassment as a common problem”, Elisa Lees Muñoz, IWMF Executive Director, writes in a comment.
“Journalists covering protests, principally identified police and other law enforcement officers as perpetrators of threats, physical violence or excessive force, including attacks, detention and arrest while reporting, particularly at protests or when reporting on or investigating law enforcement. Journalists reported being harassed by police during protests, even when clearly identifying themselves as members of the press.”
“There is no doubt that the polarisation of our communities around elections contributes to threats and attacks”, the report says.
“As public distrust in the media has become more prevalent, press members have reported feeling at high risk while covering Trump rallies, “Stop the Steal” protests, and culture war issues fomented by Trump’s rhetoric, especially when Trump supporters and protestors openly carry weapons.”
“The hostility toward the press was palpable, with journalists often being demeaned, dehumanised, and treated as enemies by those they were attempting to cover. The psychological toll of this constant harassment added to the already significant physical dangers, leaving many journalists feeling isolated and under siege.”
The report concludes that a comprehensive approach is need to cover the gaps in security.
“This includes bolstering newsrooms’ duty of care towards their journalists’ safety (including freelance journalists), implementing identity-informed risk assessments, investing in mental health resources, and prioritising regular training opportunities.”
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
