PERUGIA, Italy: Women journalists are facing escalating online threats in the course of their work, with an alarming trend of increasing aggression, highlighted by experts at an international conference in Italy.
Julie Posetti, research director of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), emphasized the significant potential for online violence to manifest in offline harm. Speaking at the Perugia International Journalism Festival, Posetti noted that women journalists tend to encounter more severe threats online, which are on the rise.
Posetti attributed this toxic online environment to the facilitation by Big Tech companies, accusing them of shirking responsibility for addressing these issues.
According to a joint study by UNESCO and ICFJ in 2022, nearly three-quarters of women journalists surveyed reported experiencing online violence or abuse related to their work. The study, involving 900 journalists from 125 countries, highlighted various forms of attacks, including insults, sexist and sexual comments, physical threats, and even death threats targeting journalists and their families.
The nature of these attacks has evolved into more sophisticated forms, such as blocking accounts, hacking, publishing private photos, and creating “deep fakes” without consent.
Violent threats are often exacerbated by discrimination based on factors like skin color, religion, or sexual orientation.
Posetti, along with other researchers, has developed a guide and toolbox addressing this issue in collaboration with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The plight of journalists like Maria Ressa, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner, exemplifies the severity of online abuse. Ressa, a former CNN war correspondent, described facing orchestrated misogynistic attacks on herself and her news outlet, Rappler.
Similarly, BBC disinformation specialist Marianna Spring encountered a barrage of abusive tweets, including threats of kidnapping and violence, following her investigation into social media networks.
Tragically, online threats can spill over into real-life violence, with a fifth of women surveyed reporting attacks or insults offline linked to online abuse.
The ramifications are profound, with some journalists discouraged from covering sensitive topics or leaving the industry altogether.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has highlighted cyberharassment as a new threat to press freedom, underscoring the need for urgent action.
Journalists like Nadia Daam and Melina Huet have endured relentless cyberbullying, prompting Daam to change residences multiple times and Huet to receive threats of beheading and rape.
Despite these challenges, there is growing awareness within the industry about cyberharassment, leading to discussions on implementing stricter legal measures.
Some media organizations have implemented protocols to address cyberbullying, emphasizing the importance of security measures before publishing sensitive articles.
Jessica Ziegerer, an investigative journalist, emphasized the necessity of thorough security reviews before publication, reflecting the industry’s proactive approach to safeguarding journalists.
The disturbing rise in online threats against women journalists underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts by tech companies, governments, and media organizations to ensure their safety and preserve press freedom.
