Last reviewed: Next review due:
Immediate steps on any platform
- 1Screenshot everything with full timestamps and URLs before blocking or reporting.
- 2Save screenshots in a dated folder — you may need them for police, lawyers, or Ofcom.
- 3Report to the platform (see per-platform guidance below).
- 4If threats are credible, report to police via 101 or online — Action Fraud for cybercrime.
- 5Contact NUJ welfare or your employer's HR/security team.
- 6If personal data is being misused (e.g. home address published), report to the ICO at ico.org.uk.
Platform-by-platform reporting guide
X (formerly Twitter)
Report path: Three-dot menu on the post → Report → It’s harmful or abusive → choose relevant category (hateful conduct / violent threats)
- ›Block or mute the account depending on your evidence-gathering needs.
- ›Use Advanced Filters to hide notifications from accounts you don't follow.
- ›Report multiple posts in a campaign as a pattern, not just individual posts.
- ›Use the X Safety Centre (safety.twitter.com) to escalate high-severity cases.
- ›X offers a dedicated journalist safety reporting form via its Trust and Safety team — search 'X journalist safety report' for the current URL.
Report path: Three-dot menu on post or profile → Report → It’s inappropriate → choose harassment or bullying
- ›Use ‘Restrict’ to limit interactions without alerting the user.
- ›Enable Hidden Words to filter abusive DMs automatically.
- ›Block and report simultaneously for threats.
- ›Turn off story replies or limit replies to followers only to reduce inbound abuse volume.
Report path: Three-dot menu on post or profile → Find support or report → choose Harassment or Bullying or Credible threat of violence
- ›Use Page moderation tools if you run a journalist Page.
- ›Report to the Facebook Transparency Center for platform-level failures.
- ›Consider restricting your personal profile to friends-only during sustained campaigns.
- ›Meta has a dedicated journalist safety team — contact via partners.facebook.com if you are a verified journalist.
TikTok
Report path: Long-press on comment or press three dots on profile → Report → choose Harassment or Threatening content
- ›Use the Duet/Stitch restrictions to prevent content misuse.
- ›Filter comment keywords to reduce abuse volume.
- ›Set account to friends-only DMs.
- ›TikTok has a reporter safety programme — check tiktok.com/safety for current journalist resources.
Threads
Report path: Three-dot menu on post → Report → choose the relevant abuse category. Threads shares moderation infrastructure with Instagram.
- ›Use the same 'Restrict' feature as Instagram to limit visibility.
- ›Block and report in the same action for threats.
- ›Threads moderation is handled by Meta's safety team — escalate via the same Meta journalist safety channel as Facebook.
Bluesky
Report path: Three-dot menu on post → Report post → choose Harassment or Threatening behaviour. Bluesky operates an open-source moderation layer (Ozone).
- ›Bluesky's AT Protocol allows third-party moderation services — subscribe to additional moderation lists for journalist-specific protection.
- ›Block accounts directly and report to the Bluesky moderation team at bsky.app.
- ›The platform is newer and moderation response times may vary — document carefully and follow up if no response within 48 hours.
Report path: Mark as spam and report phishing (in Gmail/Outlook). Forward threatening emails to your email provider's abuse team.
- ›Create email filters to route abusive addresses to a folder (preserving evidence without reading).
- ›Report to Action Fraud if emails contain threats or extortion.
- ›Change your public contact address if campaign is sustained — consider using a contact form rather than a direct email address.
- ›Use a separate professional email for public bylines to protect your personal inbox.
Using the Online Safety Act 2023 and Ofcom
The Online Safety Act 2023 requires platforms to have accessible complaints procedures and to act on reports of illegal content — including harassment, threatening communications, and cyberflashing. Ofcom is the regulator and publishes codes of practice that platforms must meet. Journalists can reference the Act in platform reports to signal awareness of platform obligations.
- ›If a platform does not respond adequately to harassment reports, escalate to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk/online-safety.
- ›Reference the Online Safety Act 2023 in platform reports to signal you are aware of their obligations.
- ›Ofcom has enforcement powers including financial penalties — complaints can drive systemic change even if individual relief is slow.
- ›The ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) is the relevant authority if a harasser is processing your personal data without legal basis — for example, publishing your home address.
Red flags and common mistakes
- ⚠Blocking before screenshotting — you lose access to evidence of what was posted.
- ⚠Engaging publicly with harassers — can escalate campaigns and spread abuse further.
- ⚠Reporting only isolated posts rather than the pattern — platforms respond better to documented campaigns.
- ⚠Not reporting to police when threats cross into criminal territory — online threats of violence are criminal offences in England and Wales.
- ⚠Using your personal email as your public byline address — gives harassers a direct line to your personal inbox.
- ⚠Assuming platform reports are reviewed quickly — always follow up if no response within 72 hours and escalate to Ofcom if the platform fails to act.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Online Safety Act 2023 protect journalists from harassment?
The Online Safety Act 2023 places new legal duties on platforms to identify, assess, and mitigate risks of illegal content — including harassment, threatening communications, and cyberstalking. Platforms must have accessible reporting mechanisms and act promptly on reports. Ofcom is the regulator and publishes codes of practice that platforms must follow. Journalists experiencing sustained harassment campaigns can reference the Act when reporting to platforms and to Ofcom. Ofcom can impose significant fines on platforms that fail their duties.
Should I block or mute harassers on social media?
Muting is often preferable to blocking initially if you wish to continue monitoring what is being said about you (blocking prevents you seeing their posts; muting does not). However, if you are receiving direct threats or your mental health is being affected, blocking is appropriate. Before blocking, screenshot and record the content with timestamps and URLs — this evidence may be needed for a police report or legal action. Glitch UK recommends documenting for at least 72 hours before blocking to build a pattern of evidence.
When should I report online harassment to the police?
Report to police (via 101 or Action Fraud) when you receive threats of violence, threats to publish private images (under the Criminal Justice Act 2015, updated by the Online Safety Act 2023), co-ordinated harassment campaigns, or stalking behaviour. The Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Communications Act 2003 both create offences that may apply to online harassment of journalists. The ICO can also be contacted if personal data is being processed unlawfully as part of a harassment campaign.
Can I use Ofcom to report platform failures?
Yes. If a platform regulated by the Online Safety Act 2023 fails to comply with its duty of care obligations — for example by not acting on reports of harassment — you can report the platform to Ofcom. Ofcom can investigate and fine platforms. This is a regulatory tool rather than a rapid response — for immediate threats, report to police and the platform simultaneously. Ofcom publishes its enforcement guidance on ofcom.org.uk/online-safety.
How can the NUJ help with online harassment?
The NUJ Online Safety Hub provides guidance and resources for members experiencing online abuse. NUJ welfare officers can provide support and signposting. The NUJ can also liaise with employers on behalf of members about workplace responsibility for online safety. Membership is not required to access all NUJ online safety resources.
What can Glitch UK do for journalists experiencing online abuse?
Glitch UK is a UK charity focused on ending online abuse, with a particular focus on journalists and women in public life. They provide training on how to use platform reporting tools effectively, guidance on documenting abuse for legal proceedings, and research on the systemic failure of platforms to protect journalists. Their Online Abuse Toolkit (glitchuk.org.uk/resources) is free and updated regularly to reflect changes to platform reporting interfaces.
Related guides
Primary sources
- Ofcom — Online Safety— Ofcom
- Online Safety Act 2023— legislation.gov.uk
- NUJ Online Safety Hub— National Union of Journalists
- Action Fraud — Report Cybercrime— Action Fraud
- Glitch UK — Online Abuse Resources— Glitch UK
- ICO — Make a Data Protection Complaint— Information Commissioner's Office
- X/Twitter — Report Abusive Behaviour— X
- Bluesky Community Guidelines— Bluesky