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”.
Europe
Austria
Understanding Journalist Safety in Austria
The greatest concern of Austrian journalists relates to the increasingly hostile treatment of journalists, which 43.5 % perceive as not being taken seriously enough by the authorities. Two out of five journalists are concerned about their mental well-being, while every third journalist is concerned about their physical well-being. In comparison, concern about losing one's job is less widespread (14.9%) – despite several large media houses cut jobs in the last two years, one-third of Austrian journalists (with 45% of women journalists) are only part-time employed, and an estimated 10% work as freelance journalists facing uneasy social conditions because they are neither protected by social security systems nor insured against unemployment. These concerns should be seen in the context of specific experiences that journalists had in the five years prior to the survey. To start with the good news, only about 7% of the respondents reported illegal dissemination of personal data by third parties, and official surveillance and the blocking of websites and social media accounts seem to play a minor role in the everyday life of journalists. For this reason, digital security is sufficient in Austria. However, journalists are most frequently affected by attacks on their work and their person. More than a third of respondents said they had experienced at least sometimes public discrediting of their work in the last five years. A similarly large number of respondents were the target of humiliating or hateful comments. 14 per cent reported other threats and intimidation attempts. In particular, there is a highly significant gender-specific difference when it comes to sexual assault and bullying. More than a quarter of all female journalists surveyed had experienced sexual harassment and assault at least once in the five years prior to the survey, compared with only 1.2% of male journalists. Against this backdrop, it is hardly surprising that female journalists are significantly more concerned about their mental and physical health. It can be assumed that in most cases, the journalists concerned do not make online threats and harassment public, as these issues remain taboo and there is not only a lack of accurate data in Austria, but also, far too often, a lack of appropriate protection and support measures.
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 Austria 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 Austria.
Survey Participation
This represents the total number of journalists from Austria who participated in the safety survey.