Journalists victims of violence: a study of circumstances and subjective repercussions

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic, the radicalization of political and ideological polarization, the massive dissemination of fake news, and the growing number of attacks on journalists mark the current conjuncture, which poses a serious threat to democracy and freedom of the press in Brazil. This exploratory-cross-sectional, qualitative-comprehensive study aimed to investigate situations of violence against journalists in the exercise of their profession and the impact of these situations on the mental health and subjectivity of those who experienced them. Data was produced in semi-structured interviews; the psychodynamics of work framework supported the comprehensive analysis. The violence was of several types: mass attacks on social networks, threats and intimidation, ideological and misogynist persecution, doxing, moral harassment, physical abuse, violence from the public or the police in events coverage. The multiple manifestations of violence affected the subjectivity and the mental health of the impacted journalists. The study indicates the importance of thinking of effective ways to support that category given the level of exposure, the conjuncture and the consequences for mental health.