Digital burnout. Stress-related illnesses associated with heavy workloads, heightened performance pressures, and the “always online” culture.
These are among the challenges faced by media workers based on an international study released ahead of the May 3, 2023, World Press Freedom Day, celebration. There are other challenges mentioned in the latest World Press Trends Outlook report of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-Ifra).
Media freedom is being challenged worldwide, the press trends report said. “Threats against media are increasing, with methods designed to silence and intimidate the press targeting individual journalists, pressuring editorial independence, and undermining the business operations of news organizations worldwide,” it said. (The report can be found at https://wan-ifra.org/2023/04/ahead-of-3-may-data-shows-media-freedom-is-challenged-worldwide/.)
In the Philippines, several universities and news organizations such as the Cebu Citizens-Press Council have scheduled activities for May 3 with the central theme on challenges facing the media industry, especially at this crucial stage post-pandemic.
The WAN-Ifra report cited the killings of at least 66 journalists in 2022, with 40 of them for reasons directly linked to their work. Estimates also suggested a record number—363—who are in jail, representing a 20 percent increase from 2021. Physical intimidation, it added, remains an effective means to silence the press. The Philippines has its share, unfortunately, of these attacks on journalists and a low prosecution rate for those behind the crimes.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation, in addition, continues to be a threat to media freedom with “very real-world consequences” for those at risk of discrimination.
The report also said data showed that online harassment against journalists—particularly women journalists—has become more prevalent across all regions. To address this, it said “greater awareness among media managers and better access to support for victims” are an urgent priority.
Related to this, the report noted a significant increase in the demand to address mental health and well-being issues alongside coping mechanisms. It cited digital burnout and stress-related illnesses as those that impact mental health.
Then, there is the question of the long-term sustainability. Media organizations are looking for ways to gain financial health, given the decrease in advertising and circulation revenues. They look to create new revenue streams on digital where the audience has moved since the Covid-19 lockdowns.
In the National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute last week, stakeholders discussed the many challenges and they agreed on the need to consider digital revenue streams to fund their work. Small publications that dot the archipelago have the crucial role of bringing the voice of communities to national decision-makers, yet they are the most in need of sustainability measures.
As the WAN-Ifra report said, effort must be taken to make media viable through new revenue, investment, good journalism, and trustworthy news; otherwise, “the gap between those thriving and those barely surviving will only increase, to the detriment of us all.”