Online attacks on Kenyan journalists: what makes audiences join in, push back or stay silent
Election
Originally published by The Conversation – Articles (AFRICA) — Read the original article →
Online harassment targeting journalists has escalated into a global crisis. Across digital public spheres, it threatens press freedom and individual safety.
In Kenya, this hostility often unfolds on social media platforms like X and Facebook, where journalists covering politically sensitive events face coordinated attacks. For instance, following critical coverage of state policies or public protests, journalists are regularly branded as “political mercenaries” or “traitors” in comment threads, prompting audiences to swarm their personal accounts with threats.
Digital attacks like these actively erode public trust in news institutions. They create a hostile environment that pressures journalists towards self-censorship. Yet, these attacks also unfold before audiences whose reactions can strengthen or weaken their effects.
