Across Southeast Asia, journalists are facing escalating levels of online harassment, hate speech, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) — threats that are not only impacting their safety and wellbeing, but also shaping what stories are told and whose voices are heard.
In response, the Centre for Journalism and Trauma Asia Pacific (CJT), has convened 13 Southeast Asian journalists in Bangkok for a four-day intensive workshop focused on managing digital threats and responding to online abuse with resilience. Building on its commitment to supporting journalists in the region, Southeast Asia-based communications consultancy Vero is providing pro bono communications support to CJT to help amplify the campaign and contribute to a more resilient media ecosystem.
Held from May 8 to 11 at the Vero Supercampus, the workshop is the second of three phases of the “Not Alone, Not Silenced” program, a regional initiative funded by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). The program is designed to support journalists in navigating online harassment, hate speech, and TFGBV across the region. After a rigorous application process, the program began with an introductory online session in March and will continue after the Bangkok workshop with a five-month remote mentorship, giving participants sustained guidance as they develop practical resources for newsrooms in the region.
“Trauma exposure isn’t just in the field. For journalists today, it is constant, digital, and, unfortunately, targeted. Vicarious trauma, moral injury, threats, and burnout all have a cumulative toll,” said Dr. Kimina Lyall, one of three Directors at CJT and a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma. “This is why structured support is critical.”
The urgency of these challenges, especially for women, is underscored by global data. According to UN Women’s 2025 global survey, 75% of women journalists have experienced online abuse, with many reporting threats of physical or sexual violence and coordinated disinformation attacks in retaliation for their work. Even more alarmingly, 42% report offline harm triggered by online violence. Alongside the long-term impact on journalists’ mental health, safety, and professional practice at the individual level, these abuses pose a serious threat to press freedom around the world.
Throughout the four-day program, participants engaged in sessions on trauma-informed journalism, the impact of sustained online abuse, and strategies for prevention, pushback, and resilient response. A key feature of the workshop is the introduction of a personalized “digital flak jacket”—a set of tools and approaches for anticipating, managing, and mitigating digital risks in each participant’s specific context. Through these sessions, the program is designed to go beyond building awareness and towards equipping journalists with practical, context-specific strategies for navigating increasingly complex digital environments.
The Centre for Journalism and Trauma Asia Pacific convenes 13 Southeast Asian journalists for the Not Alone, Not Silenced Workshop on TFGBV and digital threats.
“The threats towards journalists’ safety and wellbeing are ever-evolving, so we need tools that evolve with those threats,” shared Amantha Perera, CJT Director and researcher specializing in human-centric communications and cyber resilience. The digital flak jacket was influenced by his experiences reporting on the war in Sri Lanka. “Every time I entered an active conflict zone, I would put on a flak jacket. The digital flak jacket works the same way.”
Carefully curated breakout sessions and group exercises allowed participants to reflect on their lived experiences and build peer connections that extend beyond the event. This is especially important for journalists who face online harassment in isolation or without clear support network in their home country or even in the workplace.
“Building supportive networks amongst journalists exposed to threats and harassment creates a sense of psychological safety and alleviates isolation, especially for those working freelance and away from their home countries,” explained Dr. Cait McMahon, CJT Director and psychologist specializing in the wellbeing of journalists and media workers. “Journalists self-censoring out of fear or being unable to report due to severe trauma is, ultimately, a press freedom issue. These people are silenced in the same way as someone who is incarcerated for their journalism.”
“Journalists play a critical role in shaping informed societies, but many of them are doing so while under pressure from online abuse,” said Nitikarn Ladasathean, Media Relations Director at Vero. “As a communications consultancy working closely with media across the region, we’re witness to the many challenges journalists face. We at Vero believe that businesses have a role to play in supporting a healthier information ecosystem, and we hope that our partnership with CJT helps contribute to a future where journalists are empowered to continue their work without fear.”
This collaboration with CJT reflects Vero’s broader commitment to supporting journalists and strengthening the media ecosystem across Southeast Asia. Beyond communications support for the “Not Alone, Not Silenced” program, Vero has also worked with organizations such as EB Impact to equip journalists with tools, training, and peer networks to navigate complex issues on sustainability. Through these partnerships, Vero aims to contribute to a more resilient and informed media landscape where journalists are better supported to continue their work safely and effectively.
