Journalists share how to deal with online harassment
13 May
Online News Association sponsored a conversation about online harassment Wednesday night in New York. Slate staff writer Amanda Hess, Essence Magazine contributing writer Zerlina Maxwell, New Republic senior editor Jamil Smith and Fast Company writer Sarah Kessler shared their experiences and advice on dealing with and addressing harassment.
"Most women experience harassment online from people they know, journalists tend to get harassed by stalkers." @amandahess #ONANYC
— Niketa Patel (@Niketa) May 13, 2015
.@ZerlinaMaxwell: "I close my mentions on Twitter & don't even look at them for days to avoid trolls." #ONANYC
— Niketa Patel (@Niketa) May 13, 2015
@SarahFKessler on threats: It's like asking someone who is being screamed at walking down the street to put in ear plugs #onanyc
— Sabrina Buckwalter (@sabrina2997) May 13, 2015
Sometimes the people in our own business are the worst enemies. We as journalists need some standards we all follow – @JamilSmith #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
.@jamilsmith: Sometimes people in our own business are the worst trolls & maybe some jobs need to be taken away. #ONANYC
— Niketa Patel (@Niketa) May 13, 2015
It's not good business to have people afraid to go on your site, says @SarahFKessler. Platforms can't say "Whoops, we didn't know." #onanyc
— Elana Zak (@elanazak) May 13, 2015
. @SarahFKessler mentioned @womenactmedia's Twitter report: http://t.co/RrHZhivhWF #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
Many companies are very opaque about privacy issues, which is odd when we're supposed to divulge so much on them, @amandahess says #onanyc
— ONA NYC (@ONANYC) May 13, 2015
I asserted on Fox that we need to teach men not to rape, not give women guns. I had 2 weeks of death, rape threats –@ZerlinaMaxwell #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
Engaging trolls is futile. Public support is helpful. @ZerlinaMaxwell #onanyc
— Aleeda Crawley (@aleedac) May 13, 2015
.@ZerlinaMaxwell: Self-care is biggest priority online; it's easy to burn out. Expressing public support is extremely important. #onanyc
— ONA NYC (@ONANYC) May 13, 2015
"Until Twitter gets it together, we need to set a standard: death threats are not OK." –@ZerlinaMaxwell #onanyc
— ONA NYC (@ONANYC) May 13, 2015
Editors need to keep an eye on what is happening. They could help go through mentions, save threats for police –@ZerlinaMaxwell #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
Male editors are always shocked at what is said about me if I write anything about rape – @ZerlinaMaxwell #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
What should editors do when their journalists are harassed online?
- be aware this is a problem
- help document threats
#onanyc
— Elana Zak (@elanazak) May 13, 2015
#onanyc Tips to combating abuse? @SarahFKessler says reach out to @CrashOverrideNW for resources and help
— Sabrina Buckwalter (@sabrina2997) May 13, 2015
If ur a manager, find s'one who isn't triggered by violent messages 2 go thru mentions, document, find positive msgs @ZerlinaMaxwell #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
#onanyc @JamilSmith: Guys need to take this upon ourselves, get more men you work with into rooms like this to become aware of this problem
— Sabrina Buckwalter (@sabrina2997) May 13, 2015
"Make men aware of online abuse. Mobilize & help other men understand what's happening to writers & editors. – @JamilSmith #ONANYC
— Niketa Patel (@Niketa) May 13, 2015
Even comments that sound like compliments can be harassment. It's not all expletives and shouting. #onanyc
— ONA NYC (@ONANYC) May 13, 2015
If you are friendly with someone but you see them online doing dirt, you have to let them know it's not ok – @JamilSmith #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 13, 2015
Really useful tool against online harassment: https://t.co/c8e5j8M2dm #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 14, 2015
If you see crap happening to someone, sending them a cute kitten and tweeting positive things about them can help – @ZerlinaMaxwell #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 14, 2015
"Mute them, develop a tough skin & create a support network to share positive messages." @ZerlinaMaxwell on dealing with trolls. #ONANYC
— Niketa Patel (@Niketa) May 14, 2015
Audience member asks if forcing real names could help – this piece from @TravelingAnna says not http://t.co/qk8faXwPtE #ONANYC
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) May 14, 2015
"It takes time to build up a tough skin" dealing with trolls on Twitter–@ZerlinaMaxwell #onanyc. Yes it does.
— Jessica Seigel (@jessicaseagull) May 14, 2015
Publishers need a process for dealing with violent and threatening comments and to educate their staff. @EricCarvin #ONANYC
— Aleeda Crawley (@aleedac) May 14, 2015
