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How do you deal with insults as a journalist?

9/25/11
by IJNet

Journalists, by definition at the center of events, are often a lightning rod for insults -- whether in the form of hostile online comments or from interview subjects.

As Dalia El Akkad, an Egyptian science journalist, recently asked over Twitter "What is the first reaction as a journalist if you exposed to an insult during your work in street or by official sources?"

What is the best way to deal with it?

Topic:

I am Dalia a journalist

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 5/5/12.

Thanks for your interesting in replying.

Just tell yourself "this is a complement for my job" and regard

Submitted by Anonymous on 10/12/11.

just tell yourself "this is a complement for my job" and regard it as a spur to do more. Simple.

Never respond to insults - or

Submitted by Anonymous on 10/3/11.

Never respond to insults - or at least not one-time rants. If it starts to become a pattern - then nip it in the bud before it snowballs. Otherwise, speak up, be rational. It's never easy, but we're out in the streets and it's a skill worth developing...

online = ignore it, to my face different matter

Submitted by Anonymous on 10/3/11.

I know we're supposed to "interact" w/readers, but if someone calls me an idiot, why engage? In person, I get very still and try to figure out where that person is coming from. Are they mad at me or "The Media?" Or my newspaper? Or "newspapers" in general? It makes a difference. Most people in real life will calm down if you listen, online it's a waste of time...

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