Self-censorship Grows Among UK Journalists Over Safety Fears

A study commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and carried out by Alma Economics surveyed 531 journalists and conducted 55 in-depth interviews. The investigation revealed that personal safety concerns are reshaping newsroom practices. Almost half of respondents said those concerns affected their willingness to pursue certain stories, and about a third reported altering how or what they covered. Topics most frequently linked to heightened risk included right-wing anti-immigration protests, coverage of the Trump administration, and trans-rights issues. Female journalists described gendered and sexualised harassment, explicit threats, and online abuse focused on appearance.

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• 531 journalists surveyed; 55 interviews.

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• ? 50 % indicated safety concerns limited story selection.

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• ? 33 % changed reporting methods or topics.

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• Abuse was reported as increasing online, with “anti-immigration protests” cited as the most common source of in-person risk.

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A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson affirmed that the government is collaborating with the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists to address harassment and threats, stressing the need to create conditions where reporters feel “supported and protected.” Participants also noted that, despite rising risks, the UK remains comparatively safer for journalists than many other regions.

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• “I was definitely looking over my shoulder and making sure I wasn’t being followed and making sure that people weren’t going to start shouting things at me.” — Another

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• “The research findings make for grim reading,” — Laura Davison, the NUJ’s general secretary

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