Journalists increasingly wary of speaking online: Survey

Some Bangladeshi journalists are increasingly limiting their social media expression amid fears of threats, harassment and professional or personal repercussions, according to a small-scale survey by data journalism organisation Dataful.

The first report of its “Expression Pulse” survey, conducted from August 10 to 25 among 22 journalists, found that 18 respondents had refrained from expressing views on public-interest issues over the past six months because of possible consequences. Thirteen said they did so frequently.

All 21 respondents who answered a question on the impact of attacks or harassment against other journalists said such incidents influenced their own online expression, with 12 reporting a significant impact.

Nineteen journalists said they currently avoid discussing sensitive issues including politics, government criticism, religion, communalism, law and order, the economy and foreign policy on social media.

Fifteen respondents said they felt less comfortable expressing views online than six months ago. Thirteen said fears over negative consequences had affected both their personal expression and professional journalism.

The concerns included online harassment, threats, doxxing, reputational damage, workplace pressure, legal action and potential risks to their own or their families’ physical safety.

Dataful cautioned that the survey was not nationally representative because of its small sample size and non-random selection of participants.