Threats, abuse against female journalists at ‘crisis point’: Report
The level of abuse being directed at female journalists has reached a “crisis point,” according to researchers behind a global report.
Academics who conducted the three-year international study covering 15 countries urged policymakers to take action after it found the vast majority of journalists who took part had suffered from online abuse and threats.
Online abuse of women journalists is “one of the most serious contemporary threats to press freedom internationally”, according to the study’s authors, who found a “vicious and self-perpetuating cycle” in which digital harassment and threats spawn real-world, offline attacks and abuse.
Online violence against women journalists is “one of the most serious contemporary threats to press freedom internationally,’’ according to the study.
The study found a vicious and self-perpetuating cycle in which digital harassment and threats spawn real-world, offline attacks and abuse.
The authors of ‘The Chilling’ are calling for governments, the news industry and the giant tech corporations to do more to tackle what they say is “a crisis of online violence towards women journalists.’’
Kalina Bontcheva, a senior researcher in the UK arm of the study, said, “Our report has found that we are now at a crisis point in the level of violence being directed towards women journalists. The vast majority who took part in the study had suffered from online violence, so UK policymakers need to take urgent action now in order to protect the lives of those who are doing such an important job in society.”
The report, which is based on research by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) and the University of Sheffield, said, “Online violence against women journalists is one of the most serious contemporary threats to press freedom internationally.’’
The authors said the study drew on the experiences of nearly 1,100 journalists in 15 countries.
It also examined 2.5 million social media posts directed at Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa, from the Philippines, and award-winning British journalist Carole Cadwalladr.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
FMBN reaffirms commitment to affordable housing access
Mr Osidi said the bank was prepared to provide guidance on affordable housing and on-site National Housing Fund (NHF) services.
States
Ondo govt suspends 27 students over alleged misconduct
The ministry said the affected students are from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas College and CAC Grammar School.
World
Hungarian parliament set to vote on president’s removal
Mr Sulyok, who served as a constitutional court judge for a decade before becoming president in 2024, had maintained that he had no political agenda.
States
Police begin search for abducted Oyo farmer
Mr Olayinka said the victim was abducted on his farm and not within the premises of any school.
States
Lagos govt arrests woman for dumping refuse in drainage
He alleged that the woman instructed her child to dispose of refuse into a covered drainage channel, contrary to the state’s environmental laws.
States
Terrorists killed our colleagues to pressure govt into accepting their demands, says rescued Oyo principal
“They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she said.
