Journalists experienced significant trauma during the pandemic due to increased exposure to online threats, disturbing information and disrupted work routines, according to research from the University of South Australia.
The study explored the impact of online trauma and threats faced by media professionals during lockdown periods.
While journalists were able to work from home, their reliance on digital tools exposed them to trolling, cyber stalking, graphic content, fake news and disturbing information.
"The traditional journalism practices like tight deadlines, attention to detail and the competition to report stories before others made it more difficult for journalists to switch off," said lead researcher Amantha Perera, a PhD student who has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years.
A survey of 60 people from around the world found that journalists’ reliance on online resources significantly increased during COVID-19.
Almost two-thirds of journalists said fake news and dangerous information was the most potent online danger following the height of the pandemic.
Perera, whose work has appeared in TIME, Reuters, The Washington Post, The Guardian and al-Jazeera, said the pandemic left journalists in a constant state of uncertainty and feeling anxious and nervous for long periods.
"Those we surveyed described the pandemic as an intense, fast-moving and dynamic story with constant emphasis that it was global and potentially fatal. The threat of infection was always present," Perera said.
An overwhelming 97.6% of survey participants agreed that more resources should be diverted to help journalists build skills to mitigate online trauma.
One described the isolation of working in a hyper-active information environment while being connected 24/7.
"I was alone a lot in front of the computer. I could not move around in my city. I felt trapped, often interviewing people in very difficult situations. That made things more pronounced for me, and I couldn't escape it by doing things I usually enjoyed as I was stuck at home," they said.
The rise of social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube has made it easier for audiences to engage immediately with journalists, often anonymously through comments and messaging groups.
Perera has proposed developing a "digital flak jacket" for journalists, a suite of tools and training to prepare journalists for work in digital spaces. The idea was influenced by his time reporting the war in Sri Lanka, where he wore body armour in conflict zones.
The research comes as journalists continue to face similar working conditions while covering urgent humanitarian situations in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.
"Journalism is now functioning in a hybrid workspace where the online and the offline interchange seamlessly," Perera said. "This has increased exposure levels to what we now define as technology facilitated threats."
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