‘They Call Me Woke’: Exploring the Online and In-field Challenges Faced by Community Journalists in the Digital Age

Abstract

This study examines the online and in-field harassment experiences of community journalists in the conservative Intermountain West states of Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming, exploring how hostility towards the press affects their emotional well-being and professional intentions. Through a mixed-method approach combining survey data and in-depth interviews, the findings reveal a significant correlation between online abuse and in-field threats, highlighting a concerning spillover effect. Younger journalists and those early in their careers report heightened vulnerability, experiencing more emotional distress and exhibiting a greater likelihood to consider leaving journalism. Gender emerged as another critical factor, with women journalists facing elevated emotional harm and proactively adopting more safety measures, despite comparable levels of harassment as men. Geographical differences suggest that local political climates exacerbate harassment risks, notably in Wyoming. Journalists adopt coping mechanisms, such as emotional detachment and disengagement, in response to hostile digital spaces. The study underscores the urgent need for improved organisational support, enhanced safety training and greater institutional accountability to ensure the well-being and retention of community journalists in politically polarised environments.