Women journalists often targeted with ‘threats and hate’

International associations representing newspapers and editors say greater protections are needed for women journalists exposed to harassment and threats of violence.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum say women journalists are frequently identified as a particularly vulnerable group, with “threats and hate” often used in attempts to silence them.

The issue has been exacerbated by the growth of social media, where many women journalists receive graphic threats of physical and sexual violence according to recent reports by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF).

Many are also reluctant to report incidents of harassment and violence according to the results of a 2014 IWMF survey.

Declaration

As such, WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum are encouraging media organisations and professionals to sign the 2nd December Declaration which highlights the importance of free and independent journalism as a means of countering hate crime.

The name of the declaration refers to an act signed by the king of Sweden 250 years ago on December 2nd, 1766, which guarantees the freedom of the press, and there will be an event held in Stockholm on that date to celebrate women journalists who defy threats in the course of their work.

A passage of the declaration reads: “Professional journalism is our most effective means of countering disinformation and combatting hate crimes. It is the best weapon we have against all types of prejudices.

“Journalists are on the front line when it comes to protecting freedoms in society – and women journalists are often the most vulnerable and exposed. They are targeted, not only because they report on the abuse of power, but because they are women.”

The declaration has already been signed by representatives from leading establishments such as Bloomberg, the Times and the Independent in London and the Toronto Star. It can be accessed at www.wan-ifra.org.