Journalists Face Threats across U.S.

Survey data released this month by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) unveils high levels of harassment and physical violence against reporters nationally.  The report notes that most of the staggering threats come when reporters are assigned to cover political campaign events or protests.  

The IWMF surveyed and interviewed 610 reporters who attended 25 IWMF Newsroom Safety Across America safety training sessions in 19 cities across 11 states throughout 2024. The report, “Journalists Under Fire: U.S. Media Report Daily Threats, Harassment and Attacks at Home,’’ examines dangers ranging from physical violence and harassment at political protests and campaign rallies to threats of  gun violence, verbal attacks and sexual harassment while on assignment in the workplace.  The report pointed out that many of the political campaign threats came at Trump rallies.  

“I am not surprised with this report and survey since it was Donald Trump who continues to denounce the media as 'Fake News,'’’ according to Allan Dodds Frank, a past president of the Overseas Press Club (OPC),one of the many journalism organizations that protest the arrests of journalists abroad and repression of freedom of speech.  

 “These are difficult times for reporters,’’ he added.  “We do have a program where we train our fellowship awardees how to handle risk and even use a tourniquet,“ Frank said.  

One veteran network producer, who asked to remain anonymous, admitted that she is leaving the profession because of an unsafe workplace. 

Some industry analysts predict that safety issues for journalists could ultimately make the profession less appealing to aspiring college communication majors who are seeking safer careers in advertising and public relation fields. And the U.S. Department of Education reports that both undergraduate and graduate journalism programs nationwide are in decline as the U.S. saw the loss of an average of two newspapers per week between 2019 and May 2022, leaving an estimated 70 million people in places that are already news deserts and areas that at high risk in becoming so. 

Survey/report findings also revealed that 36 percent of respondents said they were threatened with or experienced physical violence while working as a journalist. Some 28 percent of respondents reported legal threats or action against them while working as journalists.  

More than 140 of the surveyed journalists reported experiencing sexual harassment incidents on the job. Among those who answered more detailed questions about the nature of the sexual harassment, almost 96 percent cited unwanted comments about their appearance, and 60 percent reported unwanted physical contact.  

Elisa Lees Munoz, IWMF executive director, said the survey numbers show that the industry at-large is leaving reporters ill-prepared for the physical dangers of their jobs.  “They are not providing the training, protective gear and support necessary, leaving journalists to navigate perilous environments alone,’’ said Munoz.   

The report provides actionable steps newsrooms can take to improve safety for their staff  journalists. Preventive measures include implementing identity-informed risk assessments, investing in mental health resources, and prioritizing regular training. On an ongoing basis, the IWMF recommends newsrooms enact check-in protocols and security debriefs to take the sole burden of security off the journalist, and ensure that staff have access to quality physical and mental healthcare.  

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