First-of-its-kind survey to reveal Online Abuse facing sports journalists worldwide

In a landmark effort to address the growing crisis of online hate in sport, the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) coalition has launched a pioneering research project to measure the scale and impact of hate directed towards sports journalists and media. The UAOA campaign, founded by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and supported by the FIA Foundation, is marking a significant expansion in their research efforts to combat this issue.

The first of its kind Journalist Survey, overseen by the FIA University, will measure both the scale and nature of online abuse sports journalists face while assessing the effectiveness of existing safeguards in place by media organisations. This research will provide the evidence necessary for the campaign to drive regulatory and behavioural change that protects everyone working in sport.

Recent academic research has begun to assess the online abuse crisis facing sports journalists. Dublin City University, an academic partner of the United Against Online Abuse campaign, released their paper Online Abuse, Emotion Work and Sports Journalism this month. This found that online abuse can be so severe that it has a “corrosive” impact on the output journalists publish in addition to the pernicious impact this abuse has on them personally. The UAOA’s Journalist survey will build upon this early research, offering fresh insights and analysis. 

The publication of this new research will accompany the UAOA campaign’s regular Barometer reports which tracks the online abuse faced by athletes, competitors and officials. The first edition of the Barometer, published earlier this year, exposed the staggering levels of online abuse and harassment plaguing sports. A total of 22 sporting federations and NGOs—including FIFA, UCI, ITF, World Athletics, World Netball, and the FIA—participated in the research, revealing that:

• 75% of respondents reported athletes and competitors regularly face threats of harm against themselves or their families.
• 90% of federations warned that such abuse is likely to drive athletes out of the sport entirely.
• 66% of federations believe that social media platforms must do more to combat the growing wave of online abuse.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and UAOA Founder, commented:
“The United Against Online Abuse coalition is rapidly becoming the leading voice in the fight against online abuse and hate speech in sport. The severity of this issue cannot be overstated—online abuse not only impacts the mental health of athletes, officials, and journalists but it also threatens the very foundation of sport as a force for good.

“Journalists and media professionals, who cover our sports for millions of fans across the world, should not have to endure the unacceptable online abuse and hate speech directed at them. I encourage all sports journalists to take part in this vital research as their voices are essential to uncovering the full scale and impact of this abuse and drive forward practical solutions to combat it.”

Erin Bourke, United Against Online Abuse Project Lead, said:
“Our first Barometer report set a new benchmark in how online abuse in sport is measured, and it’s crucial we build on this momentum with the launch of our Journalist Survey. As valued members of the sporting family, I strongly urge those working in the journalism and media sector to complete this survey; their contribution is essential to ensure the solutions the United Against Online Abuse coalition develop are grounded in evidence and real-world experiences.”

The UAOA campaign has received support from the FIA Foundation to enable its research projects. As a research-driven, evidence-based initiative, the UAOA relies on the engagement of sporting federations, governments, and the media to drive meaningful change.

The Journalist Survey is open until Friday 1 November 2024. Sports journalists are encouraged to participate in this critical research to report the scale of the issue and contribute to future solutions. To participate, journalists can contact UAOA Project Leader Erin Bourke at ebourke-consultant@fia.com or Communications Coordinator Omar Sharif at omar.sharif@unitedagainstonlineabuse.com.