On the Front Lines of Democracy: Empowering Journalists During #Elections2024

Spring Stops: New York & North Carolina

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, starkly illustrates the potential for violence at political events in the high-stakes 2024 U.S. election. This incident underscores the significant risks journalists face when covering such gatherings.

Surveys conducted by the International Women's Media Foundation reveal a troubling landscape of threats to journalists, ranging from online harassment to physical dangers at rallies. As the election approaches, these threats to reporters pose a significant risk to democratic processes, highlighting the urgent need for journalist safety initiatives.

In response to growing demand, the IWMF has expanded their safety training beyond swing states. The Newsroom Safety Across America initiative, launched by the IWMF, aims to equip local journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate election coverage safely and effectively. These efforts are crucial in preparing media professionals for the challenges they may encounter in the increasingly hostile environment surrounding political coverage in the United States.

Since March, our team has crossed the nation convening groups of local journalists covering politics, or adjacent beats. This article focuses on two recent tour stops: New York and North Carolina. Along the way, we've trained more than 470 reporters in essential skills like risk assessment, security protocols, legal protection, and mental health support.

Teaming with dedicated professionals in mental health, safety, and security, we've gained invaluable insights into the realities of reporting in today’s political climate. Here's what we've learned from our visits across two unique American landscapes:

New York City

We arrived in New York as the encampments protesting war in Gaza on college campuses were experiencing peak coverage due to the violent intervention of police. Many reporters joining our training sessions at the Bronx Documentary Center and New York Public Radio were actively covering the encampments and concerned about the threats they faced.

Their experiences echoed a larger trend in New York City, where, according to our survey, a majority of journalists had encountered or been threatened with physical violence (41%), verbal harassment, and lack of security and support as freelancers. The treatment of journalists by the NYPD, including assault, detention, and arrest, emerged as major concerns.

One participant recounted:

"Their M.O. is to kind of produce a cooling effect where they just start grabbing people at random and being very rough towards them. I saw them have a woman by her hair with her top completely off. I guess it was around her neck. I moved in to get a photo of that and then as I knelt on the ground to get a low shot, I was rushed by a police officer, knocked backwards, and put under arrest...In the process, they tangled everything and started accidentally choking me with my press pass. They booked me and held me in jail for four hours but avoided an arrest."

Reporters noted numerous instances where the NYPD hindered their work or made them fear for their safety, violating their First Amendment rights. Several interviewees expressed concerns about declining press freedom in New York.

Other trends from the training emerged: Immigration status posed specific risks for non-citizen journalists; those covering far-right extremism faced higher risks and were often labeled "Antifa" by the groups they covered; and most journalists we interviewed tended to work alone, whether independently or as part of small newsrooms.

Even outside of legal discrimination or harassment, interpersonal issues could diminish journalists' sense of safety. One reporter recounted a colleague attempting to use a photograph out of context, potentially endangering her and her sources.

Participants also shared experiences of persistent harassment from sources upset about published articles, leading to stress and mental health impacts. Some noted a "climate of impunity" where male photojournalists bullied women journalists, including physical violence and microaggressions when covering male-dominated sports stories.

Journalists at-large expressed that news organizations should provide more mental health support. Student journalists, in particular, often lacked access to safety training and protection afforded to professional counterparts.

Watch our New York City Recap

North Carolina

Unlike the media environment of New York City, most of the journalists in our trainings across Charlotte, Asheville, and Chapel Hill reported working in small, understaffed newsrooms deeply embedded in their communities. This close connection presents both advantages and risks.

Community journalists are more visible, can often be recognized on the street, and may not be able to keep personal information, like their address, private. This visibility can pose risks but also increases their safety, as they are then seen as more trustworthy by the community.

Many reporters find themselves working alone, increasing their vulnerability in potentially dangerous situations. This solitary work environment is particularly challenging for student journalists.

Gender-based risks persist, with one woman photojournalist reporting unwanted attention and inappropriate comments from male sources:

"The managing editor would stand behind female employees and lean over to look down blouses, or actually rub shoulders or stroke downward towards breasts…"

These experiences contribute to an unprofessional, harmful work environment, reflecting broader issues in the industry.

These anecdotal reports are supported by other alarming statistics. Our survey revealed that approximately 34% of respondents experienced or were threatened with physical violence. The most common threats included verbal attacks, intimidation, and physical attack or violence. These incidents often occurred while covering protests, Trump events, confederate monument conflicts, and Black Lives Matter demonstrations. The vast majority of journalists (80%) reported high levels of stress following these experiences.

North Carolina's gun culture adds another layer of complexity. One reporter observed that some protesters carried weapons at 2020 demonstrations, particularly at a Second Amendment rally organized in response to Black Lives Matter events. Despite being illegal, local law enforcement indicated they might not enforce this law.

Identity plays a role in perceived safety. A young white woman journalist noted that people tend not to find her threatening, which helped keep her safe. However, journalists covering sensitive topics like militias sometimes choose to omit their names from bylines as a precautionary measure.

Election and protest coverage remain primary concerns for North Carolina journalists. One journalist reported experiencing threats to his physical safety, particularly when covering Black Lives Matter protests. He observed, "People have become very skeptical of a lot of journalistic publications," potentially putting reporters at risk.

To mitigate these challenges, journalists have developed various strategies. One reporter compiled a document detailing local militia history for her news team, highlighting the importance of understanding local actors. Some outlets have implemented informal "buddy systems" for covering events like protests.

Overall, journalists expressed interest in targeted safety training, with one suggesting session specifically for managers and editors to better support field reporters. Legal resources were also in high demand. However, as one interviewee pointed out, "Journalists who lack time or resources are the ones who need them most."

Freelance journalists face additional hurdles, often treated as "indispensable parts of a system" without adequate support or resources. The remote nature of their work can lead to unfair treatment and a lack of strong professional relationships.

As North Carolina's journalists navigate these unique challenges, balancing community trust with personal safety remains an ongoing concern in their pursuit of local news coverage.

The IWMF’s mission is to support and prepare journalists for the challenges they may face during this election cycle. As we visit different states, we gain valuable insights into the specific issues reporters are encountering, allowing us to refine our approach and offer more targeted assistance.        

In our next article, we'll share our observations from Michigan, Nevada, and Chicago.

For those interested in participating in our programs, please check our open applications at https://www.iwmf.org/newsroomsafety24/ . We'll continue to share our reflections and experiences as we progress through our journey.