Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are calling for greater attention to the mental health and wellbeing of women journalists following an exploratory survey of 58 women journalists across Northern Nigeria.

The survey, “Silent Burdens, Shared Strengths: Understanding Mental Health, Stigma and Systems of Care Among

Women Journalists in Northern Nigeria,” examined work-related stress, emotional wellbeing, sources of support and

the availability of newsroom care systems.

KEY FINDINGS

Among the 58 respondents:

91% experience work-related stress at least sometimes.

78% experience emotional exhaustion or burnout.

86% experience workload or information-overload exhaustion.

50% (29 respondents) have considered leaving journalism because of its impact on their wellbeing.

Major pressures include long and irregular working hours, deadlines, low pay and financial insecurity, job insecurity, work-family pressures, gender discrimination, difficult workplace relationships and the emotional impact of covering traumatic events.

LIMITED WORKPLACE SUPPORT

86% (50 respondents) either said their newsroom does not provide mental-health or wellbeing support or were unsure whether such support exists.

Many respondents rely on family, partners, friends, colleagues, prayer, spiritual practices, rest and withdrawing from

work for support.

“Family, friends and colleagues can provide invaluable support, but journalists should not have to depend entirely on

informal networks to cope with the pressures of their profession.”

Fauziyya Kabir Tukur, Managing Director of Mata Media Organisation, added: “There is a need for newsrooms to create environments where journalists can seek support without fear of being

judged, penalised or perceived as weak.”

MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

69% of respondents rated their comfort discussing mental-health concerns with an editor or supervisor at only 1 or 2

out of 5.

Barriers include fear of judgement, being perceived as weak, concerns about job security and missed opportunities,

confidentiality concerns, lack of trust in management, and cultural and social expectations.

The findings indicate that encouraging journalists to “speak up” is not enough; newsrooms must create environments

where journalists feel safe speaking up.

Women Want Healthier Conditions to Remain in Journalism

Despite these challenges, respondents identified strong reasons for remaining in journalism, including passion,

purpose, community service, giving people a voice, telling important stories, making an impact, and encouragement

from colleagues and family.

Fauziyya Kabir Tukur said: “The findings do not simply tell us that women journalists are struggling.”

“They also tell us that women remain deeply committed to journalism and to the communities they serve. The

challenge is how to make the profession sustainable enough for them to continue doing that work without sacrificing

their wellbeing.”

What Mata Media Is Calling For

Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are calling for practical newsroom support, including:

Regular and confidential wellbeing check-ins

Access to professional mental-health support and referral pathways

Trauma debriefing after difficult assignments

Reasonable workloads, breaks and flexible working arrangements

Mental-health and trauma-awareness training

Stronger physical and digital safety systems

Anti-harassment and gender-responsive workplace practices

Peer-support networks for women journalists

Better attention to fair pay, job security and working

The organisations stress that newsroom care does not necessarily require large budgets. Small newsrooms can begin

with regular staff check-ins, recognising the emotional impact of difficult assignments, creating safe reporting

channels and developing referral networks.

BEYOND NORTHERN NIGERIA

Mata Media has shared the findings with the wider journalism community through a webinar at the Mental Health in

Journalism Summit, organised by The Self Investigation, placing the experiences of women journalists in Northern

Nigeria within the broader global conversation on mental health, newsroom culture and journalist safety.

Important Limitation

The survey is an exploratory snapshot of 58 respondents, not a statistically representative study of all women

journalists in Northern Nigeria. It was also not a clinical or diagnostic assessment.

However, Mata Media believes the consistency of the responses provides an important basis for further conversation,

research and action.

A Call to Nigeria’s Media Industry

Mata Media Organisation and Mata Media Foundation are urging media owners, editors, journalism associations,

civil-society organisations, funders and other stakeholders to make journalist wellbeing an integral part of building a

sustainable media industry.

“We cannot continue to ask journalists to tell difficult stories, work under pressure and absorb traumatic experiences

while treating their wellbeing as an individual responsibility.”

“Care for journalists is care for journalism itself.”

The organisations also encourage media houses to speak directly with journalists about the support they need rather

than assuming leadership already knows the answer.

Central Message

“Listen. Protect. Rest. Debrief. Support.”

“And make care a shared responsibility.”

ABOUT MATA MEDIA ORGANISATION

Mata Media Organisation is a women-led newsroom established to provide a safe space for women journalists and to

amplify the voices, experiences and perspectives of women, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Its journalism focuses

on issues affecting women and communities through reporting, explainers, documentaries, talk shows and other forms of storytelling.

Tagline: Labaran Mata Daga Bakin Mata.

ABOUT MATA MEDIA FOUNDATION

Mata Media Foundation is a sister organisation focused on empowering women journalists and journalism students,

particularly in Northern Nigeria, through training, mentoring, coaching, advocacy and opportunities that strengthen

women’s participation and leadership in the media. (Daily Trust)