By integrating sociology of law and work-life science, Oscar Björkenfeldt developed insights into how online harassment targeting journalists influences journalistic practices.
Björkenfeldt used three scientific approaches in the thesis: a survey sent out to journalists, data mining on Twitter, and interviews with media managers. He combined the results to explore the interplay between journalists' perceptions of legal conditions, how online harassment against journalists manifests, and how increased external pressure on journalists and news organisations affects media workplace dynamics.
He found that online harassment on Twitter (X) often merges impoliteness, moral discourse, and anti-press rhetoric to influence journalists negatively and challenge their professional credibility. He points out the paradoxical use of freedom of speech to suppress journalistic expression.
Journalists perceive news organisations as ineffective in addressing hate and threats online. Individual staff members and freelancers are often left to deal with the psychological impact alone as media companies focus on physical safety.
The response from the legal system is also considered inadequate. According to media industry workers, courts and law enforcement minimise the severity of online harassment, leaving them with little trust in the possibility of legal protection.
Björkenfeldt shows that online harassment frequently occurs within the work environment rather than remaining solely a matter of criminal law. He suggests that employers also focus on building resilient organisations to support staff subjected to harassment. This could help against the self-censorship some journalists practice in hopes of avoiding hateful messages and threats.
The examining committee unanimously passed Björkenfeldt's thesis.