Abuse

• But high rates of abuse and threats directed at journalists put us at risk of “mob censorship” – citizen vigilantism that seeks to discipline journalism.
• Our recently published study documents newsworkers’ experiences of abuse and violence at New Zealand’s largest news organisation, Stuff.

A ‘festering heap of toxicity’

• One respondent described her inbox as a “festering heap of toxicity”.
• Overall, men tended to experience more “offline” threats (44% compared to 23% of women) and actual physical violence (16% men compared to 12% women).
• These journalists represented the intersection of both gender and ethnicity – increasing their likelihood of being a target of abuse.

Targets for writing about race

• Simply writing stories about race or racism triggered abuse for the writer, whatever their actual or perceived identity.
• A self-described “white-passing Māori” explained how, after reporting on the dawn raid apology, she received messages calling her things like “white apologist bitch”.
• Several Pākeha women were abused as racists or traitors for using te reo Māori in stories or writing about racism.
• As one person said, “there are [controversial or divisive] stories I’d be less likely to pursue”, including to protect vulnerable sources.

Accepting abuse is not the answer

• More than three-quarters of our respondents considered abuse and threats to be just part of the job.
• There was, though, concern this feeds a “dangerous” and “outdated” professional culture that shuts down frank discussion and causes anxiety.
• Furthermore, some participants were sceptical about the extent of employer commitment to addressing the problem, given the adoption of branding practices such as publishing photo bylines and email addresses, which tended to ramp up online abuse.

Muted watchdogs

• Research from the United States suggests that receiving regular abuse entrenches journalists’ “us versus them” mentality.
• Clearly, democracy itself is undermined by any intimidation or disincentive that stops journalists from performing their watchdog duties.
• Supporting journalists to do their jobs as safely and free from abuse as possible needs to be the industry’s top priority for 2024.

Susan Fountaine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• WHITEHALL, Pa., Dec. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second time in under a week, drivers at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) have voted to join the Teamsters.
• The win in Pennsylvania follows recent organizing victories at UNFI in Iowa, Connecticut, California and Washington State, where drivers voted last week to join Teamsters Local 252 in Centralia, Wash.
• "The Teamsters are on a winning streak at UNFI because workers are fed up and need a strong voice on the job," said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division.
• The Teamsters encourage all UNFI workers to get on board as we shape a new way forward at this company.

• Despite daily bullying and fights she faced on 14th Parkwood and Swan Street, White handled her problems herself.
• Amid her five abortions before she turned 21, White’s life was a constant battle with abuse and sexual habits.
• Her life continued to change as she sought God’s plan for her life and listened intently to His voice.
• “I believe this book will be an inspiration to teen girls who might be going through or have gone through struggles such as abortion, sexual abuse, bullying, and sexual habits,” White asserts.

• Plaintiffs and other Jewish students must traverse classrooms, dormitories, and buildings vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
• Partner Marc E. Kasowitz said "Penn's transformation into an incubation lab for virulent antisemitism has created a pervasively hostile educational environment for Jewish students.
• Partner Mark P. Ressler said "Jewish students at Penn have been subjected to egregious antisemitism and are living in fear, subjected to vile and threatening slurs, harassment, and discrimination.
• Penn must be forced to protect its Jewish students and stop applying a double standard when it comes to anti-Jewish bigotry."