A government-backed investigation has revealed that UK journalists are increasingly self-censoring their reporting on rightwing protests, the Trump administration, and trans issues due to concerns about personal safety. The investigation, which surveyed 531 journalists and included 55 in-depth interviews, found that many journalists feel intimidated and have altered their coverage as a result. Nearly half of the surveyed journalists indicated that safety concerns affected their willingness to report on certain stories, and about a third reported changing how or what they covered.
The investigation highlighted a growing belief among journalists that abuse related to their reporting has increased, particularly online. Female journalists reported facing gendered and sexualized harassment, explicit threats, and inappropriate comments. Specific topics that raised safety concerns included anti-immigration protests and the Trump administration's policies.
The report noted that the shift to online and video journalism has made journalists more identifiable, increasing their exposure to risks. While participants acknowledged that the UK remains safer for journalists compared to other regions, they expressed that risks have intensified over time due to declining public trust in the media and the rise of citizen journalists. Laura Davison, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, emphasized that abuse should not be considered part of a journalist's job and called for social media companies to take responsibility for preventing harassment. A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that the government is working to create a supportive environment for journalists.