Formal support mechanisms

Based on an assessment of the emotional distress of the targeted journalist and the threat level, relocating or temporarily reassigning the journalist to another department can help minimize risk. Best practices: Reassignment During the Gezi Park protests in Turkey in 2013, numerous journalists faced vicious online threats and harassment.

Based on an assessment of the emotional distress of the targeted journalist, a brief temporary leave can minimize potential trauma. Granting leave in such situations is a common practice in newsrooms, especially in departments frequently exposed to violent or highly stressful content such those working with user-generated content (UGC).

For the news organization, showing public support for a journalist under attack sends the message that the organization stands behind its staff and views attacks on its journalists as an attack on the institution as a whole. In many cases, this support can help generate further support from the public toward journalists under attack and [...

There are a number of compelling reasons why news organizations should pursue criminal or civil legal action in response to online abuse. Pursuing legal action sends the message that existing laws against threats and harassment that apply in the analogue world apply in the digital world as well and helps to deter future aggressors.

News organizations should provide digital security support for journalists both before and after incidents of online abuse. As a form of prevention, the digital security team should: • Scan the target’s electronic devices to identify potential vulnerabilities that might allow hackers to access a journalist’s personal data and publicly expose it (doxing).

Professional mental health support can play an important role in helping mitigate the consequences of online abuse and harassment of journalists. As a best practice, media outlets should ensure that journalists have access to mental health care either through the organization’s health plan or through ad hoc arrangements made between the media outlet and mental [...