Two out of Three Investigative Journalists in US Believe They're Being Spied On

In the wake of the NSA mass surveillance scandal, an overwhelming majority of investigative journalists believe that the U.S. government is spying on them, and large numbers say that this belief impacts the way they go about their reporting, a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday reveals.

The findings are based on a December online survey, conducted in association with Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism, of 671 journalists who are members of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc., which is a non-profit organization for journalists.

According to the poll, approximately two out of three investigative journalists believe the U.S. government “has probably collected data” from their phones, emails, or online communications.

For national security, foreign affairs, and federal government reporters, the number is even higher at 71 percent.

Eighty percent of respondents think that their status as a journalist makes them more likely to be snooped on.

These beliefs have real repercussions.