Over the years online, violence toward women journalists has been increasing significantly and uncontrollably in many corners of the globe while producing outlets. One of the reasons is the wide use of the internet and the different social platforms.
As a woman and journalist, I have an interest in reading and hearing about stories that involve colleagues from all around, thus, I follow on social media several journalistic centres, foundations or organisations. The more I read, I realise that online violence has become a major issue in many countries, especially during the pandemic, social-political manifestations, or corruption of the state, etc.
But what is online violence?
According to a report, A/HRC38/47 from the United National Against Women Violence it “extends to any act of gender-based violence against women that is committed, assisted or aggravated in part or fully by the use of information and communications technology (ICT), such as mobile phones and smartphones, the Internet, social media platforms or email, against a woman because she is a woman, or affects women disproportionately” (p.7).
So how many types of online violence exist? The same report mentioned that the range of violence varies from insults, threats, to death; and it can take one of these forms.
- Cyberbullying;
- Trolling: trolls post comments to try to provoke controversy;
- Doxxing: online researching and publishing of private information about a person to cause them harm;
- Obsessive online stalking (cyberstalking), intrusive and threatening harassment of a person;
- Cyber-control in relationships;
- Revenge porn: non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, online public sharing of sexually explicit content without the consent of the person concerned, often for revenge.
Women journalists are a target group for these types of violence mentioned above, for reasons of simply doing their job. This action, as well, creates consequences for journalism, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression
A report conducted in late 2020 by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), reveals that 73% of women journalists who participated in the survey had experienced online violence. In addition, the two highest online threats are physical threats with 25% and sexual violence with 18%. 13% of the participants mentioned that the threats went beyond themselves, since other individuals closer to them were also attacked.
A friend and colleague of mine, Ileana Lacayo Ortiz from Bluefields, faced this doxing on social media when the social-political crisis broke out in Nicaragua in April, 2018. She also received a threat and her house was burglarised; so, months later, she fled the country. She was one of the many journalists who left the country for voicing the injustice of the Nicaraguan government. Ileana was not afraid to denounce the assassination of journalist Angel Gahona in Bluefields on the 21st of April 2018. In this video produced by Short Shelter City Utrecht, Ileana explains the repression she lived under the government.
Online violence has many impacts on journalists. As I read the different stories and reports, I found that out that the most common effect is mental health, as mentioned by Ileana, as well. Another journalist who fled her country for protection is the Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro.
Jessikka held a deep investigation into the pro-Russian internet trolls, but unfortunately, she was backlashed and became a victim of these same activities. In a debate organised by the International Women Media Foundation, the New York Times, and the Washington Post Jessikka said: “online violence is extreme, you can’t escape it, thus, you need to pay attention to your surroundings”.
One of Jessikka’s pieces of advice to women journalists who are living with online violence is to get in touch with other colleagues or organisations. She said it’s important to know that “you are not alone”. Here is the complete panel discussion.
Press Freedom is a right, so newsrooms, editors, colleagues and journalists’ organisations should continue to support women journalists who are being victims of online violence.
Do you know a woman journalist who has been abused online? Share it with us.
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
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