A new platform has been launched to tackle harassment against journalists, aiming to document and address incidents of abuse and threats.
- This initiative, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, seeks to enhance the safety measures outlined in the National Plan for the Safety of Journalists.
- Both staff and freelance journalists can utilise the platform to securely report harassment, attacks, or intimidation.
- The platform focuses on capturing data related to sexist, racist abuse, physical attacks, and online threats.
- The goal is to create a comprehensive evidence base to inform police actions and improve journalist protection.
Today marks the introduction of an online tool designed to systematically track instances of harassment and intimidation aimed at journalists. Created under the National Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) oversight, this platform invites both freelance and employed journalists in the UK to report their experiences of abuse confidentially. The development of this tool is backed by funds from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, underscoring its alignment with governmental efforts to bolster journalist safety.
According to Media Minister Stephanie Peacock, the ability of the press to operate without fear of attack is fundamental. The Journalists’ Safety Tracker facilitates real-time data collection on abuses faced by journalists, particularly highlighted during the recent riots. This tool is a key component of the National Plan for the Safety of Journalists, aimed at improving incident reporting and informing strategies to combat these dangers.
Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary of the NUJ, highlights the significant milestone represented by the launch of this tracker. Asserting its role in cataloguing the pervasive and often unchecked abuse—particularly against women and minority journalists—the tool captures a wide range of threats. These include not only digital harassment but also physical violence and so-called ‘lawfare,’ where legal action is used as a means of intimidation.
The tracker operates through a detailed survey process, where users can report various threats including impersonation via malicious emails, social media attacks, physical violence, and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). The collected data will serve as an evidence base for understanding and combating intimidation tactics, with the NUJ calling for greater accountability from police and support from employers.
Journalists are encouraged to engage with this tool to document the challenges faced in fulfilling their roles. These records are crucial in empowering the NUJ to advocate for better protection of journalists, whose indispensable work supports the very fabric of democracy. The overarching message emphasises the responsibility of all stakeholders—including online platforms and employers—to ensure journalists can perform their duties without undue risk.
This new initiative stands as a critical step towards safeguarding journalists against the widespread threats that undermine media freedom.
