The UK’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the rise in online and physical attacks targeting journalists. In a statement, the union stressed that no one should be punished or intimidated simply for doing their job.
According to the NUJ, media workers increasingly face death threats, doxxing, trolling, stalking, and even physical assaults. Such abuses pose a serious threat to press freedom and media plurality.
Women journalists and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are disproportionately affected, often subjected to misogynistic, racist, or sexist abuse.
“Attempts to silence journalists will always be condemned”
NUJ General Secretary Laura Davison stated:
“Efforts to silence, intimidate, and bully journalists will always be condemned by the union. We have seen shocking examples of vile abuse clearly intended to instil fear and prevent reporting – particularly targeting women journalists.”
Davison further emphasized that not only the police, but also online platforms and employers, must take greater responsibility to ensure the safety of journalists.
The NUJ also called on journalists to log incidents of harassment and threats in the Journalists’ Safety Tracker, in order to document abuses and push for stronger protections.
