Many journalists regularly experience harassment in their daily work. Audiences in Europe have become increasingly aggressive in their communication due to the spread of anti-media sentiments and populist attitudes. This is further facilitated by technological changes, rendering interaction with journalists simple and intrusive. So far, research has found that journalists reporting on specific topics and with particular social profiles regarding gender, race, sexuality, and religion are predominately and systematically harassed.

It is essential to be able to define harassment, as opposed to the right of the public to freedom of expression. Not all forms of online harassment, for example, violate the law and what is considered “harassment” may be protected by freedom of expression and be legal, which may be challenging when mitigating online harassment.

This short handbook provides essential information and practical advice to journalists in their work, but any guideline and handbook can only be efficient with the necessary training and policy in newsrooms. A culture of newsroom safety against harassment among journalists and media managers is a prerequisite for journalists’ safety.