Life as a woman journalist: ‘You’re bringing your kids to GAA and you get hideous messages’

Cast your mind back 50 years and think about the kind of criticism that journalists faced about their work. You might have seen some angry contributions on the letters page, late-night phone calls to the newsroom or the infamous letters in green ink.

Fast forward to today and that kind of audience “feedback” now looks and feels very different, especially for women journalists whose mere presence in those newsrooms half a century ago was rare.

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It might seem like we have made progress – 2020 Irish data for the Global Media Monitoring Project suggests the proportion of women journalists had reached 37 per cent – but online platforms have facilitated new waves of misogyny and targeting of visible, vocal women such as journalists and audience interactions have taken a darker turn.

Research I have undertaken, drawing on interviews with 36 women journalists in Ireland at national outlets, sheds light on their experiences and interactions navigating social media.

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The report, published this week, captures a spectrum of negative, hostile encounters: name-calling, unwanted sexual advances, stalking and obsessive behaviour, intimidation, irritating nit-picking, threatening images, undermining their expertise, relentless comments about their appearance and judgment on their personal lives.

Anecdotes varied in their severity, with some keen to highlight the positive opportunities online but the common thread was a feeling of frustration and exasperation that this is now part of a journalist’s work – and their lives. As one participant described: “It could be 6am on a Saturday morning. You’re just waking up. You’re bringing your kids to GAA and you get these hideous messages.”

One striking aspect was many women’s eagerness to play it down, insisting they were ‘lucky’ they did not suffer as much as others

A recent UK survey by Women in Journalism/Reach group found that almost half of women promote their work online less than they used to, to minimise negative attention; 18 per cent said the negativity had made them consider leaving the industry. Against this backdrop, women’s influence and visibility in journalism could regress.

Surveys provide valuable baselines but to hear women’s experiences in their own words is powerful.

Is someone you reported on unhappy? One contributor described an incident: “He was sending veiled threats and text messages at 4am and being like, ‘If you post a story, I’m going to make sure your career is ruined.’”

Have you been intimidated online? A journalist recalled: “I was sent an image of my Photoshopped face on a body on top of a pile of people being burnt.”

One woman documents the familiar response to a sports reporter, complimenting a player’s performance: “Are you looking for a husband?” Another, who shared her experience of having a family member with autism, remembered a particular comment which stuck with her: “One man messaged me like, ‘You’re really close-minded. Your family member would be so sad if they knew this.’”

One striking aspect was many women’s eagerness to play it down, insisting they were “lucky” they did not suffer as much as others, before detailing something disturbing. Even if they did not feel genuinely threatened, there were relentless streams of content to be waded through, users to block and reports to make to social media platforms which journalists found were often too slow and reluctant to act. The recommendations in the report are aimed at newsrooms, regulators and the social media companies themselves. All have a role to play.

As many contributors acknowledged, men and women in journalism face backlashes. One contributor noted how anti-journalist ideology had “crept into the Irish psyche in recent years”, with several feeling it was amplified during the pandemic. Nevertheless, there were undeniably gendered components, not only in the sexualised or misogynistic content but in the questioning of their professionalism and expertise. One remarked how insults always revert to “typical woman”.

This report suggests five phases through which women journalists may perceive social media, starting with enthusiasm early in their careers for its usefulness in reporting. This moves into the initial waves of criticism and negativity as their profile grows, which can be upsetting. Next, they might develop the “thick skin”, before reaching some kind of “tipping point” and a line is crossed because of certain incidents. Finally, some journalists described a “withdrawal”, where they resist sharing their work, let alone any other thoughts, as it minimises negative repercussions.

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This stepping back is particularly concerning for younger women building their careers. Many felt expectations to be active from employers and believed a large following was an increasingly valuable commodity. Some said it made them more “employable” – a valid concern in a precarious journalism industry.

Others noted that prominence online led to greater professional opportunities such as television or radio segments. The consensus was that increased visibility brings increasing vulnerability so the dilemma arises between career advancement and maintaining personal boundaries. One more established reporter noted: “I can get away with not using social media – people who are coming up behind me can’t.”

Overall, the contributors’ commitment to the sector was apparent, with many asserting that they would not be intimidated away. Nevertheless, there was frustration and resentment towards the adverse elements they are now expected to endure and questions arise regarding journalism’s appeal as a long-term career prospect, particularly for young women.

This matters because any erosion of women’s presence in journalism is regressive not just for the media sector but for women’s participation and visibility in society. We should also be concerned about politics and other high-profile, public-facing positions in which women are targeted. Ultimately, a silencing or stepping back can lead to a scarcity of women role models and women perspectives, both of which are essential for providing more comprehensive analysis and understanding of events and issues.

It is not only women, nor only journalists, affected by these hostile aspects of digital culture: the report documents just one cohort’s experience in what are deeply troubling digital spaces for many. Yet, history show us this is a side whose presence in Irish journalism has always been on shakier ground.

Dr Dawn Wheatley is assistant professor in the School of Communications at Dublin City University