UNESCO is the lead UN Agency for promoting freedom of expression and safety of journalists as part of its mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.
Understanding Journalist Safety in South Africa
Section 16 of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, including freedom of the media. Nevertheless, threats against the media – especially in the form of online misogyny – are of increasing concern. Female journalists are often the targets of such attacks, as evident from a 2024 report by the International Foundation of Journalists, titled: “The women journalists of South Africa’s Daily Maverick: Sexualized, silenced and labeled Satan”. While physical attacks on journalists are less common, there are instances – especially involving the police force and politicians – where journalists have been manhandled. The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has released several press releases in this regard over the past few years. Almost two-thirds of South African respondents in the third Wave of the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS) “agree” (36.6%) or “strongly agree” (27,1%) that they are concerned about their emotional and mental wellbeing. The influence of reporting on traumatic news events, as well as the increasing precarity of newswork, have prompted Sanef to enter into an agreement with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) to enable free mental wellness resources and support to journalists. When the WJS survey was conducted at the end of 2023, more than 80% of respondents (81,2%) were in full-time employment. Yet, more than 40% of respondents “agreed” (21,3%) or “strongly agreed” (21,3%) that they were worried about losing their jobs in the next 12 months. This is an indication that even full-time employment does not guarantee job security in the South African journalistic context.
Safety Dimensions
This radar chart displays how the country performs across all four safety dimensions, revealing areas of strength and concern.
Gender Safety Gap
This comparison highlights differences in safety experiences between male and female journalists, revealing potential gender-based disparities.
Physical Safety
The physical dimension carries 50% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Journalist Killings (35% weight in physical dimension)
This figure represents the total number of journalist killings in South Africa between 2016 and 2024.
Data sourced from UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists.
Note: This indicator carries 35% of the weight within the physical dimension of the Safety Index, making it the most significant factor in this category.
Responses to: "I am concerned about my physical wellbeing" (20% weight in physical dimension)
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Arrests, detentions or imprisonment (15% weight in physical dimension)
Sexual assault or sexual harassment (15% weight in physical dimension)
Other physical attacks (15% weight in physical dimension)
Abductions (did not contribute to calculation)
Office raids or seizures or damage of equipment (did not contribute to calculation)
Being required to work in an environment where COVID-19 had easily spread (did not contribute to calculation)
Psychological Safety
The psychological dimension carries 25% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "I am concerned about my emotional wellbeing" (20% weight in psychological dimension)
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Demeaning or hateful speech directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Public discrediting of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Legal actions against you because of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Stalking (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Other threats or intimidation directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Coercion (did not contribute to calculation)
Questioning of your personal morality (did not contribute to calculation)
Workplace bullying (did not contribute to calculation)
Intimidation that targets your family or close associates (did not contribute to calculation)
Digital Safety
The digital dimension carries 12.5% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Surveillance (50% weight in digital dimension)
Hacking or blocking of social media accounts or websites (50% weight in digital dimension)
Others using your byline for fabricated or manipulated stories (did not contribute to calculation)
Others disseminating your personal information (did not contribute to calculation)
Financial Safety
The financial dimension carries 12.5% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "I am worried about losing my job in journalism within the next 12 months" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "Which of the following categories best describes your current working situation as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to "Approximately what percentage of your overall work-related income comes from your work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "How many hours a week on average do you work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "In which of the following categories does your salary as a journalist fall?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Demographics
This section contains demographic information about survey respondents from South Africa.
Coming soon
Demographic information about survey respondents will be available in a future update.