Prepare for US-influenced threats to UK journalists

These past 12 months have been the most challenging I have seen yet in terms of the safety of journalists and threats to media freedom in the UK.

At Reach, we have had more than double the number of online safety issues reported by our journalists than in the previous year. The cases are more complex too, with smearing, doxxing and defaming of journalists on external platforms, along with sexual and violent threats, hate speech and personal attacks.

As has been documented by Nottinghamshire Post and MyLondon, we have also seen increasing blocks to media access by public authorities and elected members.

And across the industry, in-person threats are on the rise.

It’s been a tough year for journalism safety and media freedom. I don’t think things will get easier in 2026.

In the past, we have seen events in the US influencing UK trends. So I look across the pond to make my prediction.

Firstly, let’s look at the White House ‘Media Offenders’ list, which offers ‘a record of the media’s false and misleading stories’

Campaigners have raised concerns about the list, with the Committee to Protect Journalists pointing out potential intimidation and chilling of independent journalism.

According to Reuters, there are also moves to increase vetting of some US visa applications, with potential rejection of applicants who "have worked in areas including misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety". All journalists need to consider this when travelling in 2026. 

In the UK, I expect potential aping of the ‘offenders list’. Not from the current government, but from the fringe groups. Already, we have seen verbal and digital attacks on individual journalists by elected officials; a formalised list might well be the next step.

Not to sound like Dickens’ Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, but our industry needs to heed these omens and take journalism safety and media freedom as seriously now as it ever has, and more. 

There are rays of hope and good news, too.

The new  Journalism Safety Liaison Officer list for police forces in England and Wales is an example of how knowledge sharing and best practice means we can tool our industry for a safer and better future. There will be more of this kind of collaborative practice to come in the new year.

With joined-up approaches, training and support, we can arm our journalists to confidently stride out into 2026, prepared to keep shining light into the darkest corners.