Safety of Journalists CFOM Sheffield

The Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM) at the University of Sheffield (UK) is an interdisciplinary research centre with global outreach on issues of media freedom, journalism safety, editorial standards and impunity. During the 2022 Academic Consultation on the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, CFOM conducted a literature stocktake to scope out academic literature published in the area of media freedom, journalism safety and impunity. CFOM collated this information and produced a literature database organised by themes or countries for accessibility. The collection is especially strong on country- and region-specific safety issues and on surveys of emotional wellbeing of journalists. This special collection is curated by gemma.horton@sheffield.ac.uk.

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Conceptualizing Journalists’ Safety around the Globe

Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Jyotika Ramaprasad, Nina Springer, Sallie Hughes, Thomas Hanitzsch, Basyouni Hamada, Abit Hoxha, Nina Steindl

Digital Journalism, volume 11, issue 7 (2023), pp. 1211-1229

"Killings, as the most extreme form of violence against journalists, receive considerable attention, but journalists experience a variety of threats from surveillance to gendered cyber targeting and hate speech, or even the intentional deprivation of their financial basis. This article provides a co ... more

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Not just words: How reputational attacks harm journalists and undermine press freedom
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Chris Tenove, Ahmed Khalid Al-Rawi, Juan Merchan, Manimugdha Sharma, Gustavo Villela

Vancouver: Global Reporting Centre; University of British Columbia School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (2023), 105 pp.

"Journalists’ reputations are under assault around the world. Among journalists we surveyed, 63% reported at least monthly attacks on their individual reputations — and 19% reported facing them daily. Rates were even higher for attacks on the reputations of their news outlets or the broader news ... more

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Social media and online hostility: Experiences of women in Irish journalism

Dawn Wheatley

Dublin: Irish Research Council; Dublin City University (2023), 60 pp.

"The public’s increased access to journalists via social networks is arguably the defining shift in audience-media relations over the past two decades. While some laud this potential for dialogue, the reality is that many journalists face targeted hostility, with women often subjected to particula ... more

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Finding Joy as Journalists

Gregory P. Perreault

In: Happiness in Journalism

Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, Avery E. Holton, Mark Deuze, Claudia Mellado (eds.)

London; New York: Routledge (2023), pp. 25-32

"This chapter finds that journalists find joy in numerous aspects of their work: the opportunity to provide perspective, show compassion to their community and display gratitude for their own experiences in life." (Abstract)

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Assessing safety of journalism practice in Ghana: Key stakeholders’ perspectives

Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey, Sulemana Braimah

Cogent Social Sciences, volume 9, issue 1: 2225836 (2023), 16 pp.

"This study sought to use the self-reporting method of survey as well as key informant interviews to investigate the depth and spread of the problem. A total of 115 respondents took part in the survey. Additionally, eight interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. The study found that the most ... more

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Teaching Student Journalists to Refill their Happiness Tanks

Alexandra Wake, Erin Smith

In: Happiness in Journalism

Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, Avery E. Holton, Mark Deuze, Claudia Mellado (eds.)

London; New York: Routledge (2023), pp. 147-156

"This chapter suggests methods for encouraging well-being among journalism students and refers to ground-breaking court cases that have put media organisations on notice, requiring them to provide psychologically safe workplaces for journalists." (Abstract)

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Safety concerns and awareness of safety measures among female journalists reporting elections in Nigeria

Mofoluke I. Akoja, Oguchi O. Ajaegbu, Adetunji Adeteye, Medinat Kanabe

Seybold Report, volume 18, issue 7 (2023), pp. 2402-2419

"Female journalists often face a dual challenge when reporting on elections, grappling with routine attacks both as women and as professionals. This study aims to explore the safety concerns of female journalists covering elections in Lagos state, Nigeria, and investigate their attitudes towards the ... more

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The struggle for authority and legitimacy: Lifestyle and political journalists’ discursive boundary work

Sandra Banjac, Folker Hanusch

Journalism, volume 24, issue 10 (2023), pp. 2155–2173

"Scholarship has pointed to an artificial hierarchy between political and lifestyle journalism that is rooted in norms and values stemming from Western-liberal thought. Within this distinction, lifestyle journalism has been subordinated as occupying a marginal or peripheral position in the field. Ye ... more

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“I thought You Are Beautiful”: Uganda Women Journalists’ Tales of Mob Violence on Social Media

Gerald Walulya, Florence Namasinga Selnes

Digital Journalism, volume 11, issue 10 (2023), pp. 1962-1981

"This article contributes to our understanding of the notion of mob censorship from the Ugandan context by examining the nature and consequences of harassment targeting women journalists on social media. Drawing on research about online harassment and censorship, we link mob violence in physical spa ... more

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Between Shadows and Stories: Navigating the Journey of Afghan Journalists, from Aug. 15, 2021 to Aug. 15, 2023

Afghanistan's National Journalists Union (2023), 17 pp.

"The Afghan media landscape stands at a crossroads, navigating a landscape rife with challenges and uncertainties in the wake of the Taliban's resurgence. The post-Taliban era, marked by a thriving media sector with 160 television channels, 311 radio stations, 90 print newspapers, and 26 news agenci ... es, has witnessed a drastic transformation. The current media landscape, with 70 television channels, 211 radio stations, 11 print newspapers, and 9 news agencies, reflects a significant decline in numbers and diversity. Under the de facto rule of the Taliban, the media sector has encountered substantial constraints. Censorship and self-censorship have become rampant, with journalists and media outlets navigating the perilous territory of permissible content. Threats, intimidation, and violence against media professionals have created an atmosphere of fear, leading to an exodus of skilled journalists. Investigative journalism, once a cornerstone of accountability, has been stifled, and access to unbiased information has dwindled, leaving citizens ill-informed. The closure of media outlets has far-reaching implications, including restricted information flow, suppressed free speech, and diminished content diversity. The narrative has further fragmented between Kabul and the provinces, where media freedom varies significantly. Female journalists remain conspicuously absent in many regions, underscoring the entrenched gender disparity in the field. International media outlets, under surveillance and restraints, grapple with maintaining their operations and integrity in an increasingly controlled environment. Social media, once a platform for open dialogue, faces censorship and restrictions, hampering the exchange of ideas. As Afghanistan's media landscape evolves, the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks has exacerbated challenges. The suspension of the Mass Media Law and the Access to Information Law during the transitional phase has left media professionals in a legal gray area. The need for inclusive consultations with media stakeholders to shape these laws cannot be overstated. In this complex milieu, it is evident that safeguarding the media's role as a communication bridge between the government and the people is paramount. Collaborative efforts between the Islamic Emirate, the international community, and media support organizations are essential to prevent the collapse of Afghanistan's media landscape." (Conclusion, pages 16-17) more

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‘Repackaging the emptiness’: How Russian regional journalism adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic

Elina Erzikova, Wilson Lowrey

Newspaper Research Journal, volume 44, issue 1 (2023), pp. 92-110

"The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the role news organizations play in disseminating information and shaping public response to the crisis. This study adopts an ecological approach in examining Russian regional journalists’ adaptations to the pandemic. Based on in-depth interviews, the study f ... more

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Manual de cobertura, seguridad y protección para mujeres periodistas en Ecuador

Quito: Periodistas Sin Cadenas (2023), 34 pp.

"Entre junio de 2021 y diciembre de 2022, 125 mujeres periodistas sufrieron agresiones en Ecuador, según datos de la Fundación Periodistas Sin Cadenas. La seguridad y la protección a su integridad física aún es una tarea lejana que no ha sido asumida por los medios de comunicación ni el Estado ... more

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¿Cómo realizar coberturas seguras en Ecuador? Guía práctica para periodistas

Quito: Periodistas Sin Cadenas (2023), 36 pp.

"[...] En Ecuador no existe una cultura de seguridad institucional para ejercer el trabajo periodístico. El Estado no se responsabiliza, una muestra de ello es la falta de creación del Comité de Protección de Periodistas, que fue una de las recomendaciones que hizo el Equipo de Seguimiento Espec ... ial de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos que visitó el país en 2019 para realizar un informe sobre el secuestro y asesinato de los periodistas de diario El Comercio y entregar recomendaciones a los gobiernos de Ecuador y Colombia. La impunidad en cuanto a las agresiones a periodistas en Ecuador es evidente. Después de 5 años, el asesinato del equipo de El Comercio en la frontera norte sigue impune. El caso sigue en investigación previa, sin detenidos y con el cambio de fiscales en cuatro ocasiones. Respecto a los asesinatos de los tres periodistas en 2022, hay una sentencia condenatoria para los autores materiales del crimen del periodista Gerardo Delgado; sin embargo, aún se desconocen a los autores intelectuales y el motivo de su asesinato. Toda cobertura requiere una evaluación de riesgos para identificar vulnerabilidades y fortalezas antes de reportear un tema. No se debe olvidar realizar un mapeo de actores para evaluar a qué amenazas puede exponerse la prensa. Es importante que los periodistas y los medios identifiquen y mitiguen los riesgos asociados al oficio antes de realizar las coberturas en terreno. Los periodistas no son intocables y Ecuador ya es escenario de amenazas graves y asesinatos. Habrá momentos en los que los periodistas deban desistir de hacer ciertas coberturas porque no se den las condiciones de seguridad necesarias. No hay que olvidar que ninguna cobertura es más importante que la vida. Es necesario crear protocolos de seguridad en las redacciones y pensar estrategias para seguir haciendo periodismo en zonas complejas, apoyándose en el periodismo colaborativo y las alianzas periodísticas. La salud mental y el autocuidado son fundamentales para sobrellevar la presión y el estrés que suponen las coberturas de riesgo. Evaluar el estado emocional antes, durante y después del trabajo es fundamental para mantener el equilibrio." (Conclusiones y recomendaciones) more

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International organizations that protect journalists' rights in international law

Orifjonov Shokhrukhbek Joraboy o'g'li

Proceedings of International Conference on Scientific Research in Natural and Social Sciences, volume 2, issue 6 (2023), pp. 184–190

"The protection of journalists' rights is critical for the preservation of freedom of expression, the rule of law, and democracy. International organizations play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of journalists worldwide. This article examines the international legal framework th ... more

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Equally Safe case studies: Protecting women journalists

London: Article 19 (2023)

"What might feminist approaches to the protection of journalists look like, and what benefits might they bring? From national organisations to grassroots networks, our findings document women’s monumental efforts to make structural changes, tackle entrenched patterns of gender-based discrimination ... more

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“Don’t Touch Me”: Sexual Harassments, Digital Threats, and Social Resistance Toward Kuwaiti Female Journalists

Fatima Alsalem

In: The Palgrave Handbook of Gender, Media and Communication in the Middle East and North Africa

Loubna H. Skalli, Nahed Eltantawy (eds.)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan (2023), pp. 373-390

"This study examines the obstacles and challenges faced by female journalists in Kuwait. It explores a set of interrelated factors that discourage women from working in the media, such as gender inequality, sexual harassment, threats, social resistance, and cultural barriers. The study uses a mixed ... more

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Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities: Women

Internews (2023), 4 pp.

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Female Investigative Journalists: Overcoming Threats, Intimidation, and Violence with Gendered Strategies

Maria Konow-Lund, Marte Høiby

Journalism Practice, volume 17, issue 8 (2023), pp. 1591-1606

"During the past two decades, numerous investigative journalist networks have emerged globally, through which journalists from different places and cultures collaborate. In this article, we focus specifically on the experiences of female investigative journalists and the ways in which they navigate ... more

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What it's like to be a journalist in the Sahel

Anne Bocandé, Jeanne Lagarde, Sadibou Marong

Paris: Reporters Without Borders (2023), 39 pp.

External Link (35)

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‘Keeping news alive in Venezuela’: Using social media as tactical media

Paromita Pain, Ezequiel Korin

Global Media and Communication, volume 19, issue 1 (2023), pp. 101-117

"Venezuela leads Latin America with the largest number of imprisoned journalists and extreme government-led media censorship. Our in-depth interviews with 25 Venezuelan journalists reveal that assisting journalists to combat government control are social media and technology platforms like WhatsApp, ... more

Not just words: How reputational attacks harm journalists and undermine press freedom Top Insights

Not just words: How reputational attacks harm journalists and undermine press freedom
Top Insights