Hans M. Koot

Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists (Reporters Sans Frontières). Despite this dubious status very little is known about symptoms of common mental disorders (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety) among Pakistani journalists. Our study aimed to explore whether reporting on potentially traumatic topics and work-related threat exposure were associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of 505 Pakistani journalists. The reporting topics of interest were militancy, crime (excluding militancy), bomb or suicide blasts, and natural disasters. Threats were categorized as electronic threats, face-to-face threats, physical aggression, stalking, kidnapping, and detention by authorities. We examined to what extent symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress are related to reporting in these topics and exposure to threats.

Definition of journalists' safety

Performance of the profession of journalist with the freedom to report on any topic without exposure to the danger of any limiting events as a consequence of this reporting (like being murdered, killed, face attempted murder, abductions, arrest, illegal detentions by official authorities, physical assaults, verbal threats) and availability of appropriate protection from, prevention and care of any mental issues that may arise from this professional activity.

Future plans for research on journalists' safety

None at this moment