Junkee will no longer publish journalists’ bylines on some stories to protect them from ‘harassment campaigns’
Ooh Media-owned Junkee will begin publishing stories about popular musicians under an anonymous byline to protect its writers, following “orchestrated harassment campaigns” involving online abuse and threats.
The news and pop culture website said that ‘stan culture’ – the word ‘stan’ is a cross between ‘stalker’ and ‘fan’ – is, at its worst, a “toxic, vindictive swamp”. And while Junkee, as a site with a music vertical, wants to continue reporting on the phenomenon and impacts of stan culture, a generic ‘Music Junkee’ byline will feature on stories that would put an identified journalist at risk.
Stott said anonymising articles likely to attract the attention of stans was the best way forward
Imagine caring about pop music so much you would threaten a stranger’s greyhound
This seems like a pretty good move to protect vulnerable staff. I hope it works.