I have had private conversations with several journalists and researchers on the conspiracy/disinformation/extremism beat recently who all say they feel exhuasted by the workload of the last few months and are dealing with mental health issues on top of consistent online abuse.
This is a serious issue for those who cover this beat and is something that colleagues rarely speak about in public.
Of course, no-one's forced us to do this work, we chose to do them. This is not violins out.
But recent events seem to have caused huge anxiety among colleagues.
Of course, no-one's forced us to do this work, we chose to do them. This is not violins out.
But recent events seem to have caused huge anxiety among colleagues.
Many employers seem to be unaware and do not have support for colleagues who feel they are being pushed to the limit.
It's not easy to read or/and view overtly violent, extreme or racist content on a daily basis. Particlarly when it all travels offline into the real world.
It's not easy to read or/and view overtly violent, extreme or racist content on a daily basis. Particlarly when it all travels offline into the real world.
The other issue is the volume of daily abuse people who cover this beat face, particularly female colleagues.
We all get hateful emails/DMs regularly. But they pale in comparison to the level of nastiness/abuse female colleagues have to deal with.
It all adds up after a while.
We all get hateful emails/DMs regularly. But they pale in comparison to the level of nastiness/abuse female colleagues have to deal with.
It all adds up after a while.
Again, I hope this doesn't come across as journalists taking the violin out. It's not that at all.
I'm just hoping more colleagues will openly talk about some of the challenges of covering this beat and employers provide adequate support to those who need it.
I'm just hoping more colleagues will openly talk about some of the challenges of covering this beat and employers provide adequate support to those who need it.
A huge problem for those in this field is the inability to switch off for the fear of missing something important, as this truly is a 24/7 coverage beat.
But switching off is really vital.
Otheriwse, the mental pressure of this line of work can drive anyone over the edge.
But switching off is really vital.
Otheriwse, the mental pressure of this line of work can drive anyone over the edge.
I resisted tweeting this for a while as I feared it would put off some talented young journalists and researchers, particularly women, from entering this field.
But perhaps it will actually be helpful to those keen to do this job to be aware of these issues well in advance.
But perhaps it will actually be helpful to those keen to do this job to be aware of these issues well in advance.
Please don't feel ashamed to speak if you're mentally struggling. We all struggle in this role.
Please take time off, talk to friends/family, and contact those who have been doing this job for a while for advice.
This beat can be brutal. Please take good care of yourselves.
Please take time off, talk to friends/family, and contact those who have been doing this job for a while for advice.
This beat can be brutal. Please take good care of yourselves.
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