Some 30% of journalists say they consume more alcohol, narcotics or anti-anxiety medication because of their job, according to the results of a study conducted on the occasion of the Etats Généraux de l'Information and published on Thursday.
Among these journalists, 7% believe they consume "a lot" more of these potentially harmful products and 23% "a little more", according to this consultation by the Ipsos institute with 6,363 journalists holding a press card.
Of the total number of professionals surveyed, 87% found that the level of stress was high in the profession and 23% reported having experienced burnout.
However, 73% of respondents say they are fulfilled in their profession, which is first and foremost perceived as being of public utility. But a majority of them (56%) would not recommend it to their children.
The surveys feel the very negative opinion of citizens towards the media and journalists, highlighted by other regular studies. And 87% indicate having already been confronted with unpleasant comments or aggression in public spaces, or even physical violence for 21%.
Finally, more than half (56%) of the journalists surveyed consider that artificial intelligence is rather a threat to the profession of journalism in general.
The online questionnaire was sent to a sample of journalists in May and June, before the conclusion in September of the General States of Information (EGI), a broad reflection lasting almost a year requested by Emmanuel Macron.
It resulted in fifteen proposals, such as large-scale awareness raising about disinformation, increased protection of journalists' sources, and strengthening the independence of editorial staff.
The Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, is preparing a bill based on these EGIs, “a solid working basis” according to her.
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