Cyber Harassment in Journalism: Effects on Self-Censorship on Mental Health of Female Journalists in the Pakistani Media Landscape

Abstract

The issue of cyber harassment towards numerous female journalists in Pakistan is gaining prevalence leading to self-censorship and mental health concerns among them. The current study investigates the pervasive issue of online harassment targeting female journalists in Pakistan using the spiral of silence theory as its lens. It aims to analyze the impact of online harassment on female journalists' tendencies toward self-censorship and its implications for their well-being. Adopting a quantitative methodology, the study employs a close-ended survey administered to female journalists from diverse urban centers. A purposive sampling technique has been used and correlation analysis has been conducted to examine the relationship between online harassment, self-censorship and mental well-being. Findings from this research have shown that a high percentage of women journalists are harassed through online harassment daily, though these women journalists contribute significantly to the flourishing media sector in Pakistan. However, many respondents showed reluctance in reporting the harassment incidents. Online harassment also depicts an alarming trend, since a majority of the women journalists who experienced harassment wish to leave journalism altogether due to the negative effects brought by online harassment. These findings underscore the urgency of interventions to address and mitigate the impact of online harassment on female journalists.