A survey from 2020 revealed that 20 percent of journalists worldwide had faced worse online harassment during the coronavirus pandemic, as opposed to before. Censorship and other forms of interference in journalism during this time also occurred, with 14 percent of journalists experiencing pressure to portray political figures in a positive light.
Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Online harassment was "much worse" than before COVID-19
20%
Direct censorship of reporting*
14%
Experienced political pressure to produce positive coverage of government officials and/or political leaders
14%
Publicly abused by a politician or elected official in the course of their work
10%
Physically attacked in connection with their work
3%
Fined, arrested, detained, charged, or sentenced to jail on the basis of alleged offenses
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ICFJ. (October 13, 2020). Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/
ICFJ. "Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020." Chart. October 13, 2020. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/
ICFJ. (2020). Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/
ICFJ. "Forms of Interference and Harassment Directed towards Journalists during The Covid-19 Pandemic Worldwide as of June 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Oct 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/
ICFJ, Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Forms of interference and harassment directed towards journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide as of June 2020 [Graph], ICFJ, October 13, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251387/harassment-to-journalists-during-covid-worldwide/
