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Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

by | Oct 20, 2020 | Public Relations

The COVID crisis has left piles of destruction in the world of business, and the media industry has been pummeled as badly as any. Facing everything from a barrage of disinformation to heightened security risks and a mental health crisis, journalists around the world are contending with myriad daunting challenges as they report on the deadly pandemic, according to new research from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

The two organizations launched the joint initiative, the Journalism and the Pandemic Projectin April 2020 to study the impacts on the field worldwide. Based on survey responses from more than 1,400 English-speaking journalists in 125 countries, the first report from the project surfaces alarming obstacles and threats confronting journalism during the first stage of the pandemic.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

Government sources cited as untrustworthy—but journalists must turn to them for info

Among the most troubling findings is the identification of politicians and elected officials as top sources of disinformation by nearly half of respondents (46 percent), highlighting a serious lack of trust in governments. At the same time, nearly one-third said they were relying more heavily on government sources and official statements to report on the pandemic.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

Social media spreads disinformation—but journalists depend on it for visibility

In a related key finding, Facebook was identified as the most prolific spreader of disinformation by respondents (66 percent). Yet 32 percent said they were more reliant on social media platforms to connect with audiences.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

Other red flag-raising findings for journalists covering the ongoing crisis:

  • 70 percent of respondents rated the psychological and emotional impacts of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis as the most difficult aspect of their work during the period.
  • 30 percent said that their news organizations had not supplied field reporters with a single piece of protective equipment during the first wave of the pandemic.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

  • 17 percent with knowledge of their organizations’ financial losses reported that revenue was down over 75 percent since the pandemic began; 43 percent indicated that revenues were down by over half.
  • 81 percent said they encounter disinformation at least weekly, with more than one-quarter (28 percent) identifying false information many times a day.
  • 20 percent said their experience of online harassment was “much worse” during the pandemic.
  • 48 percent said their sources had expressed fear of retaliation for speaking to journalists during the pandemic.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

But the picture is not all bleak

Despite the challenges, journalists indicated that they have some reasons for optimism:

  • 43 percent said they felt audience trust in their journalism, or that of their news organization, had increased during the first wave of the pandemic.
  • 61 percent reported that they felt an increased commitment to journalism as a result of the pandemic.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

The research was conducted by ICFJ’s Global Director of Research, Dr. Julie Posetti; Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism and the Director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, Emily Bell; and Dr. Pete Brown, research director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism.

Media takes a beating: New research raises red flags for journalism in the COVID era

Read the full report here.

The report is the first of a data-driven research series (which will also draw on surveys conducted in six other languages) that will address the challenges of reporting on COVID-19 and offer guideposts for reimagining a post-pandemic future for journalism. The Journalism and the Pandemic Project is supported by global philanthropic organization Luminate, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a partner organization.

Richard Carufel
Richard Carufel is editor of Bulldog Reporter and the Daily ’Dog, one of the web’s leading sources of PR and marketing communications news and opinions. He has been reporting on the PR and communications industry for over 17 years, and has interviewed hundreds of journalists and PR industry leaders. Reach him at richard.carufel@bulldogreporter.com; @BulldogReporter

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