In Australia, a joint investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC won Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism in 2018 for reporting on sexual harassment and bullying by television personality Don Burke.83 In the months leading up to the 2018 National Survey, there was unprecedented media coverage of issues related to sexual harassment, driven by the global #MeToo movement (discussed below at Section 2.7).84 The results of the 2018 National Survey suggest it is likely that media coverage has resulted in increased community awareness of the issue of sexual harassment.85 The impact of media reporting on sexual harassment extends beyond shaping community attitudes. The reputational risk posed by public allegations relating to sexual harassment86 has led some employers to minimise allegations of sexual harassment and reduce transparency around these issues. As discussed further in Section 3.8, ‘Impacts of sexual harassment in the workplace’, damage to the reputation of a business or business leader can have substantial financial impacts. For example, in 2010 David Jones’s share price dropped more than 3% in the wake of media reporting on a sexual harassment claim against its then CEO.87 Media reporting may also contribute to an employer’s willingness to pay large settlement sums, where accompanied by strict terms of confidentiality, non-disclosure and restrictions on making adverse comments.88 However, the Commission heard about the potential negative impact of media reporting on victims of sexual harassment. Information published about high profile cases, without the consent of the victim, can cause significant distress.89 For a victim to lose control over their narrative and story, when they may already feel their privacy and boundaries have been violated by their experience of harassment, can lead to re-traumatisation.90 Furthermore, while some victims want to share their stories, other victims turn to journalists because they have found workplace or legal processes to be lacking or unsatisfactory.91 There are also significant legal risks for a victim in raising allegations of sexual harassment publicly. The Commission heard that Australia’s defamation laws can act as a disincentive to victims speaking out, and are also having a chilling effect on media coverage of sexual harassment issues.92 Section 5.8(b), ‘Defamation laws’, provides more information about their impact in Australia. Section 4.5(d), ‘Media guidelines’, provides a more detailed overview of the role of media in reporting sexual harassment, and proposes specific strategies to assist journalists and the media in fulfilling their important role. (b) Social media Social media campaigns, including the high profile #MeToo movement and related solidarity movements,93 have generated a huge surge in public concern around sexual harassment and assault. Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces • 2020 • 79