September 30, 2024 - Lahore, Pakistan

Women Press Freedom stands in full solidarity with Ambreen Fatima as she fights back against the malicious misuse of her photos and the character assassination that has ensued.

Ambreen has been enduring relentless online abuse for her journalistic work, but the harassment escalated recently when a YouTube channel misidentified her in a photo with an athlete, falsely labeling her as his wife. This misidentification triggered a flood of trolling and harassment, causing immense emotional distress and making her feel unsafe both online and offline. Ambreen is also deeply concerned for her children’s safety, as the misused photos include them.

Online harassment of women journalists remains rampant in Pakistan, with figures like #GharidaFarooqi and #AsmaShirazi regularly facing vicious abuse. We urge Pakistani authorities to establish stronger mechanisms to combat online harassment and safeguard women journalists.