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Shooting the Messenger? Harassment and Hate Speech Directed at Journalists on Social Media

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  • Simón Peña-Fernández

    (Department of Journalism, School of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Urko Peña-Alonso

    (Department of Journalism, School of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Ainara Larrondo-Ureta

    (Department of Journalism, School of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Jordi Morales-i-Gras

    (Department of Journalism, School of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Sarriena, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

Abstract

Journalists have incorporated social networks into their work as a standard tool, enhancing their ability to produce and disseminate information and making it easier for them to connect more directly with their audiences. However, this greater presence in the digital public sphere has also increased their exposure to harassment and hate speech, particularly in the case of women journalists. This study analyzes the presence of harassment and hate speech in responses ( n = 60,684) to messages that 200 journalists and media outlets posted on X (formerly Twitter) accounts during the days immediately preceding and following the July 23 (23-J) general elections held in Spain in 2023. The results indicate that the most common forms of harassment were insults and political hate, which were more frequently aimed at personal accounts than institutional ones, highlighting the significant role of political polarization—particularly during election periods—in shaping the hostility that journalists face. Moreover, although, generally speaking, the total number of harassing messages was similar for men and women, it was found that a greater number of sexist messages were aimed at women journalists, and an ideological dimension was identified in the hate speech that extremists or right-wing populists directed at them. This study corroborates that this is a minor but systemic issue, particularly from a political and gender perspective. To counteract this, the media must develop proactive policies and protective actions extending even to the individual level, where this issue usually applies.

Suggested Citation

  • Simón Peña-Fernández & Urko Peña-Alonso & Ainara Larrondo-Ureta & Jordi Morales-i-Gras, 2025. "Shooting the Messenger? Harassment and Hate Speech Directed at Journalists on Social Media," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:15:y:2025:i:5:p:130-:d:1652919
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Itziar Reguero-Sanz & Pablo Berdón-Prieto & Jacobo Herrero-Izquierdo, 2023. "Journalism in Democracy: A Discourse Analysis of Twitter Posts on the Ferrerasgate Scandal," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(2), pages 176-187.
    2. Samiksha Koirala, 2020. "Female Journalists’ Experience of Online Harassment: A Case Study of Nepal," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 47-56.
    3. Itziar Reguero-Sanz & Pablo Berdón-Prieto & Jacobo Herrero-Izquierdo, 2023. "Journalism in Democracy: A Discourse Analysis of Twitter Posts on the Ferrerasgate Scandal," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(2), pages 176-187.
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    5. Samiksha Koirala, 2020. "Female Journalists’ Experience of Online Harassment: A Case Study of Nepal," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 47-56.
    6. Stephen Jukes, 2019. "Crossing the Line between News and the Business of News: Exploring Journalists’ Use of Twitter," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(1), pages 248-258.
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