The UK Government has published a first ‘national action plan‘ about abuse and harassment of journalists. The Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office will shortly issue a call for evidence about the volume and type of threats and abuse against journalists.
A survey of members of the National Union of Journalists in November found more than half of respondents had experienced online abuse while nearly a quarter had been physically assaulted or attacked.
The aim, says the Government; to increase awareness of the safety challenges faced by journalists, and a joint effort by law enforcement, broadcasters, publishers, industry bodies, unions and the government. Proposed are new training for police officers, aspiring and existing journalists, and commitments from social media platforms and prosecution services to act against online abuse. The Government also published a broader update on its work to tackle intimidation in public life.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Freedom of speech and a free press are at the very core of our democracy, and journalists must be able to go about their work without being threatened. The cowardly attacks and abuse directed at reporters for simply doing their job cannot continue. This action plan is just the start of our work to protect those keeping the public informed, and defend those holding the government to account.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Attacks on journalists are not only horrendous for those individuals but an assault on our democracy. Today’s action plan will make sure journalists can go about their vital work without fear. But just as we protect the physical safety of journalists we must protect their freedom to write and report too. Tackling worrying trends on online censorship of journalistic content and controversial views, we will ensure our forthcoming online safety laws build in robust protections for journalism.”
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) will work with the police which will provide training for journalists reporting on police operations, initially through a workshop at the University of Portsmouth.
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “Attacks on journalists are designed to silence and intimidate those who work to uphold the public’s right to know. NUJ members have shared horrific experiences of being attacked, abused and threatened – on and offline – simply for doing their job.
“It’s clear that reported incidents are the tip of the iceberg and that harassment and abuse has become normalised. This action plan, with its range of practical measures and protections, is an important step towards changing that and ensuring journalists can get on with their vital work free from harassment or intimidation. We want more journalists to come forward and report harassment and abuse and welcome the police and prosecutorial services pledges to take these cases seriously as it is vital that those who threaten and harass journalists are brought to justice and dealt with appropriately and robustly.”
The police will engage with the NUJ, the Society of Editors and others to update their training offer for police around journalists covering demonstrations and investigating crime against journalists. The prosecution services for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland reaffirm their commitment to taking a robust approach to crimes against journalists and bringing those responsible to justice.
For the plan, visit the DCMS website.
