Document details

Online safety of diverse journalists: A report prepared for Media Diversity Australia

Media Diversity Australia;Griffith University;Macquarie University (2023), 69 pp.

Contains bibliogr. pp. 66-69, appendix 35 pp.

Institution of author: Griffith University; Macquarie University;

"Overall, our study found that many journalists and media workers from minority backgrounds were experiencing online harassment and abuse from members of the public, and that often, this behaviour was considered ‘part of the job’ in the modern, digital environment. While we found some employers were making good efforts to assist their employees from diverse backgrounds, too often issues such as industry complacency and in-built (systemic, institutional) racism and discrimination were impacting on organisations’ ability to properly protect diverse media workers. Our data also demonstrates that, sometimes, journalists from diverse backgrounds were operating in what they considered to be hostile work environments. Further, we found that while many were aware of both informal and formal reporting mechanisms, they found most comfort and support from friends, family and other diverse co-workers rather than from any of the supports that existed. The research suggests that while some were familiar with formal reporting mechanisms, many were not; and many also had little faith in the ability of formal mechanisms to achieve change. There was a strong sense that people from diverse backgrounds did not want to be identified as the ‘difficult’ person in their organisation and that acceptance, adaptation and sometimes silence were used as ways to navigate the environment, rather than formal complaints mechanisms." (Executive summary, pages 4-5)
Previous Research, 10
Research Method, 22
Research Findings, 24
Understanding Online Harassment and Abuse -- Implications of Online Abuse -- Supports in Place -- Mitigating Online Abuse
Summary of Policy Landscape, 56
Conclusions & Recommendations, 62