Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are calling for better consideration to the psychological well being and wellbeing of girls journalists following an exploratory survey of 58 ladies journalists throughout Northern Nigeria.
The survey, “Silent Burdens, Shared Strengths: Understanding Mental Health, Stigma and Systems of Care Among
Women Journalists in Northern Nigeria,” examined work-related stress, emotional wellbeing, sources of help and
the provision of newsroom care methods.
KEY FINDINGS
Among the 58 respondents:
91% expertise work-related stress at the least typically.
78% expertise emotional exhaustion or burnout.
86% expertise workload or information-overload exhaustion.
50% (29 respondents) have thought of leaving journalism due to its influence on their wellbeing.
Major pressures embody lengthy and irregular working hours, deadlines, low pay and monetary insecurity, job insecurity,work-family pressures, gender discrimination, tough office relationships and the emotional influence of masking traumatic occasions.
LIMITED WORKPLACE SUPPORT
86% (50 respondents) both stated their newsroom doesn’t present mental-health or wellbeing help or had been uncertain whether or not such help exists.
Many respondents depend on household, companions, pals, colleagues, prayer, non secular practices, relaxation and withdrawing from
work for help.
“Family, friends and colleagues can provide invaluable support, but journalists should not have to depend entirely on
informal networks to cope with the pressures of their profession.”
Fauziyya Kabir Tukur, Managing Director of Mata Media Organisation, added: “There is a need for newsrooms to create environments where journalists can seek support without fear of being
judged, penalised or perceived as weak.”
MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
69% of respondents rated their consolation discussing mental-health considerations with an editor or supervisor at only one or 2
out of 5.
Barriers embody worry of judgement, being perceived as weak, considerations about job safety and missed alternatives,
confidentiality considerations, lack of belief in administration, and cultural and social expectations.
The findings point out that encouraging journalists to “speak up” isn’t sufficient; newsrooms should create environments
the place journalists really feel secure talking up.
Women Want Healthier Conditions to Remain in Journalism
Despite these challenges, respondents recognized sturdy causes for remaining in journalism, together with ardour,
function, group service, giving individuals a voice, telling necessary tales, making an influence, and encouragement
from colleagues and household.
Fauziyya Kabir Tukur stated: “The findings do not simply tell us that women journalists are struggling.”
“They also tell us that women remain deeply committed to journalism and to the communities they serve. The
challenge is how to make the profession sustainable enough for them to continue doing that work without sacrificing
their wellbeing.”
What Mata Media Is Calling For
Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are calling for sensible newsroom help, together with:
Regular and confidential wellbeing check-ins
Access to skilled mental-health help and referral pathways
Trauma debriefing after tough assignments
Reasonable workloads, breaks and versatile working preparations
Mental-health and trauma-awareness coaching
Stronger bodily and digital security methods
Anti-harassment and gender-responsive office practices
Peer-support networks for ladies journalists
Better consideration to truthful pay, job safety and dealing
The organisations stress that newsroom care doesn’t essentially require massive budgets. Small newsrooms can start
with common employees check-ins, recognising the emotional influence of inauspicious assignments, creating secure reporting
channels and creating referral networks.
BEYOND NORTHERN NIGERIA
Mata Media has shared the findings with the broader journalism group by means of a webinar on the Mental Health in
Journalism Summit, organised by The Self Investigation, putting the experiences of girls journalists in Northern
Nigeria throughout the broader world dialog on psychological well being, newsroom tradition and journalist security.
Important Limitation
The survey is an exploratory snapshot of 58 respondents, not a statistically consultant examine of all ladies
journalists in Northern Nigeria. It was additionally not a medical or diagnostic evaluation.
However, Mata Media believes the consistency of the responses offers an necessary foundation for additional dialog,
analysis and motion.
A Call to Nigeria’s Media Industry
Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are urging media house owners, editors, journalism associations,
civil-society organisations, funders and different stakeholders to make journalist wellbeing an integral a part of constructing a
sustainable media trade.
“We cannot continue to ask journalists to tell difficult stories, work under pressure and absorb traumatic experiences
while treating their wellbeing as an individual responsibility.”
“Care for journalists is care for journalism itself.”
The organisations additionally encourage media homes to converse straight with journalists concerning the help they want fairly
than assuming management already is aware of the reply.
Central Message
“Listen. Protect. Rest. Debrief. Support.”
“And make care a shared responsibility.”
ABOUT MATA MEDIA ORGANISATION
Mata Media Organisation is a women-led newsroom established to present a secure house for ladies journalists and to
amplify the voices, experiences and views of girls, notably in Northern Nigeria. Its journalism focuses
on points affecting ladies and communities by means of reporting, explainers, documentaries, speak reveals and different types of storytelling.
Tagline: Labaran Mata Daga Bakin Mata.
ABOUT MATA MEDIA FOUNDATION
Mata Media Foundation is a sister organisation centered on empowering ladies journalists and journalism college students,
notably in Northern Nigeria, by means of coaching, mentoring, teaching, advocacy and alternatives that strengthen
ladies’s participation and management within the media.
Motto: Empowering Women. Transforming Media.
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