UK journalists in the 2020s

Overview

This report is based on a survey conducted between September and November 2023 with a representative sample of 1,130 UK journalists, a follow-up to a similar survey in 2015 on which this previous report was based. The survey was carried out as part of the third wave of the Worlds of Journalism Study project.

Our analysis of this survey data and more than 200 other relevant sources has produced numerous findings. This report documents increased precarity in the profession with a shift away from permanent contracts and growth in the number of freelancers, lingering inequalities in terms of pay and seniority, the continued adoption of new technologies that bring benefits but also exacerbate risks, and changing conceptions of roles, ethics, and journalism’s relationship with society. | Read the executive summary

Read the report's executive summary

Our analysis of original survey data reveals the profile, practices, and perceptions of UK journalists in the 2020s, including a shift away from permanent contracts, lingering inequalities in pay and promotions, ongoing technological changes that bring benefits but also exacerbate risks, shifting conceptions of roles and ethics, and the safety threats they experience.

The report's editors

The report was edited by Professor Neil Thurman, Dr Imke Henkel, Sina Thäsler-Kordonouri, and Dr Richard Fletcher.

Chapters and authors

1. Diversity by Dr Imke Henkel
2. Employment conditions by Dr François Nel
3. Platforms, formats and cultures by Prof Neil Thurman
4. Automation by Sina Thäsler-Kordonouri
5. Social media use by Dr Richard Fletcher
6. Safety threats by Dr Ayala Panievsky and Dr Lindsey Blumell
7. Editorial autonomy by Dr Jingrong Tong
8. Epistemological beliefs by Dr Craig T. Robertson
9. Role-perceptions by Dr Imke Henkel, Dr Lea Hellmueller and Dr Rana Arafat
10. Ethics by Dr Lea Hellmueller, Dr Glenda Cooper and Dr Jane Singer

Join our free newsletter on the future of journalism

In every email we send you'll find original reporting, evidence-based insights, online seminars and readings curated from 100s of sources - all in 5 minutes.

Twice a week
More than 20,000 people receive it
Unsubscribe any time

signup block

Explore the report's chapters

6. The safety threats experienced by UK journalists and their physical, emotional, and mental well-being

This chapter outlines our findings concerning the safety threats that UK journalists experienced and looks at how worried they were about their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

7. UK journalists’ perceptions of their editorial autonomy, the influences on their work, and press freedom in the UK

This chapter explores UK journalists’ perceptions of their editorial autonomy, the extent of freedom in UK news media, and the factors influencing their work.

8. Examining journalists’ epistemological beliefs: What do UK journalists believe about truth, objectivity, and interpretation?

UK journalists were presented with five epistemological belief statements relevant to their work and asked if they agreed or disagreed with them. This chapter examines their responses.

9. How UK journalists perceive their roles in society

This chapter explores how UK journalists think about their present role in society. The survey asked journalists to assess the importance of 24 journalistic roles.

10. UK journalists’ views on ethics and the acceptability of ethically questionable reporting practices

This chapter outlines changes and consistencies in practices that UK journalists consider ethical and unethical, and their understanding of journalistic standards.

UK journalists in the 2020s

UK journalists in the 2020s

Overview

Read the report's executive summary

The report's editors

Chapters and authors

signup block

1. The personal characteristics and diversity of UK journalists

2. The employment conditions of UK journalists

3. The media platforms, formats, and cultures UK journalists work with

4. News automation in UK newsrooms

5. The use of social media and audience analytics by UK journalists

6. The safety threats experienced by UK journalists and their physical, emotional, and mental well-being

7. UK journalists’ perceptions of their editorial autonomy, the influences on their work, and press freedom in the UK

8. Examining journalists’ epistemological beliefs: What do UK journalists believe about truth, objectivity, and interpretation?

9. How UK journalists perceive their roles in society

10. UK journalists’ views on ethics and the acceptability of ethically questionable reporting practices

Supported by

Part of the Worlds of Journalism study

UK journalists in the 2020s

UK journalists in the 2020s

Overview

Read the report's executive summary

The report's editors

Chapters and authors

signup block

Sign up

1. The personal characteristics and diversity of UK journalists

2. The employment conditions of UK journalists

3. The media platforms, formats, and cultures UK journalists work with

4. News automation in UK newsrooms

5. The use of social media and audience analytics by UK journalists

6. The safety threats experienced by UK journalists and their physical, emotional, and mental well-being

7. UK journalists’ perceptions of their editorial autonomy, the influences on their work, and press freedom in the UK

8. Examining journalists’ epistemological beliefs: What do UK journalists believe about truth, objectivity, and interpretation?

9. How UK journalists perceive their roles in society

10. UK journalists’ views on ethics and the acceptability of ethically questionable reporting practices

Supported by

Part of the Worlds of Journalism study