Online Trolls, Journalism and the Freedom of Speech: Are the Bullies Taking Over?

This paper explores the legal and ethical challenges faced by journalists in retaining open channels of discourse online. Quantitative and qualitative research involving twenty experienced reporters, twenty new media industry recruits and forty journalism undergraduates assesses the extent to which internet trolls impacted on their work. It found that while the sample was required to have an online presence and to interact with their audiences through social media, they received little guidance in dealing with abuse and threats. A significant number, including the journalism students developing their online presence, felt that hostile experiences had affected their ability to express themselves freely. This has an impact on a journalist’s critical role as a guardian of free speech in a democratic society. Social media adds to the pressures on journalists and raises concerns over the effectiveness of existing complaint mechanisms. A case is made for more support from both educators and the media industry to ensure these freedoms are not eroded.