September 2020 Issue
This issue features interviews of journalists Lara Bitar and Wiktoria Bieliaszyn, and focuses on the violence faced by Mexican women journalists. Tunisian journalist Maha Jouini also pens a personal essay this month. Read the issue.
Editor’s Note
Hello readers,
Hope you all are keeping well and healthy. We’re greeting you this month with the Women In Journalism Magazine’s September issue.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism interviewed two journalists - Lara Bitar from Lebanon and Wiktoria Bieliaszyn from Poland. Lara, the editor-in-chief of The Public Source spoke to our writer and researcher Rabia Mushtaq. She shared about her experience of running the independent media outlet and working on stories that matter in the midst of the crisis in Lebanon.
Our engagement coordinator Katarzyna Mierzejewska interviewed Wiktoria, who talked about the growing hope for change among Belarusians, police brutality and encountering a groundbreaking moment in the country's history.
Our focus story this month sheds light on the threats and violence that Mexican women journalists are subjected to. At least two media professionals have been murdered in the first-half of 2020. The story focuses on how the country is becoming increasingly dangerous for journalists and is obstructing press freedom day by day.
Maha Jouini writes a personal essay about her struggles of working as a freelance journalist in Tunis. Maha graduated from Tianjin University of Science and Technology and has contributed widely to Sino-African relations.
Our Women Journalist To Follow section features journalists who are leading digital media platforms and have successfully made their place within the digital media industry. Marium Chaudhry, Snigdha Sur, Deeyah Khan and Laxmi Parthasarathy are journalists you ought to follow this month.
Last month, we conducted two different campaigns focused on online harassment faced by women journalists in pakistan and around the world. Read the outcome report of both the Pakistan and Global campaigns here and here.
In September, we documented at least 54 cases of threats faced by women journalists across the world. Read our September review report to get more information on the cases we identified throughout the month.
You can also catch up with our regular sections featuring the monthly round up of cases of threats and violence against women jorunalists, CFWIJ’s monthly podcast picks and books to read.
We’re always open to feedback, suggestions and encouraging words. Please feel free to get in touch with us through press@womeninjournalism.org
Stay safe and healthy!
Happy Reading!
Kiran Nazish, Executive Editor
Rabia Mushtaq, Editor and Writer
Damla Tarhan, Design
Katarzyna Mierzejewska and Maha Jouini, Contributions
Index
Interview
Lara Bitar – Upholding The Values Of Independent Journalism In Lebanon
In conversation with the editor-in-chief of The Public Source
By Rabia Mushtaq
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is notorious for its treatment of journalists. The state of press freedom in most countries across MENA has deteriorated in the last few years and continues to threaten journalists trying to do their jobs. Press and media in Lebanon are vulnerable to laws that can be weaponized against them. While a certain faction of press and media in the country is highly politicized, even divided to an extent, the individuals and platforms that value independent journalism have vowed to disseminate the truth.
PHOTO CREDIT: LYNN CHAYA
Lara Bitar, editor of The Public Source — a Beirut-based independent media organization, is one such voice who fearlessly reports the often overlooked realities of Lebanon. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) spoke with Lara to understand how she runs The Public Source, the stories it delves into, the challenges faced, and the strategies required to make the platform sustainable. She also discussed the matter of accountability and governance in Lebanon amidst the on-going crises.
“Broadly, we identify as a left-leaning publication dedicated to producing quality journalism in various forms,” Lara informed us as we began our conversation. “We see The Public Source as a political project that seeks to disseminate certain ideas and perspectives on crucial issues on one hand, and uncover information on the other. We don't report on the news; rather, we've been providing big picture analysis of the events that have been unfolding since October 17 as we work on long-form investigations.”
The media platform is based in Beirut, dedicated to reporting on socio-economic and environmental crises. Lara lets us in on the stories they cover and all that goes into its content.
“We write deeply and critically on vital issues from local perspectives. The website has an updated and rolling list of topics that we are interested in looking into, some of which include migration and displacement. On this particular topic for example, we have published a few articles on kafala — the sponsorship system. We are also very interested in tackling issues related to labor and organizing. We have published a few pieces on the role of unions, the working class, and labor-organizing in relation to the October popular uprising,” she said when speaking with CFWIJ over a call.
According to Lara, The Public Source has a small team that consists of a couple of editors, including herself, an investigative journalist, and recently recruited an editorial assistant and two interns. The platform works with many collaborators including videographers, photographers, translators, copy editors, and different types of researchers and journalists on specific stories. It has one core unit that runs the platform, in addition to several side projects. One example being their page Comictern — a platform for fictional and non-fictional comics. A few months after launching the publication, the team also began working on a series of investigative reports tackling the material effects of hegemonic structures and systems in Lebanon, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
When talking about what makes The Public Source different from other media platforms in the country and the Arab world, Lara emphasized on its structure and its editorial and organizational practices. The site also features a whistleblowing platform.
“Our website has two different methods or tools that potential whistleblowers can use — whether they work in government administrations, ministries or corporations — to send us information or documents that expose the abuse of power, or anything else that they think is worthy of public disclosure and is in the public interest,” she shared.
Lara gave us an insight into how the platform operates, and what differentiates the organization from the otherwise traditionally operating media outlets in the country.
“We are founded on principles of non-hierarchy and mutual aid. We do not run like a traditional media organization with a top-down approach. Decision-making is shared by all of the members of the collective and reached by consensus. We do almost everything transparently, and in particular, when it comes to our sources of funding and its allocation. On that note, we are clear with our readers because we are an independent publication and it is important for our readers to know that our editorial policies and direction are guided by no one but the members of the collective,” she briefed CFWIJ about the platform’s operations and financial transparency.
She added that the funding received by The Public Source comes with no strings attached; the members of the collective are the only people who have a say in the platform’s decision-making, including those related to content.
“It is difficult to attempt to run an independent platform in this context — especially, since the media landscape in Lebanon is saturated by outlets funded by political parties with a lot of wealth, power and access. We are operating without any of those things, so even the simplest requirements of our work, like getting a filming permit, is difficult. But we continue to be committed to actualizing and embodying the values and principles on which The Public Source was founded.” Lara asserted.
When talking about the feedback the platform has received in a very short time, Lara said that the reception has been, for the most part, tremendous.
“We have received a lot of support and feedback from our readers in the different communities that have been following our work. It has been exciting because we are a newly launched publication and we are still quite far from reaching our potential, yet the reception has been generous and positive. We've been told by our readers, peers and veteran journalists that The Public Source is an urgent project, that it is needed, necessary, and timely. Readers are appreciative of the kind of work we are doing, especially on specific topics that are usually intentionally ignored; and if they are, they are usually covered in a shallow manner. So, we delve into as much depth as possible through our articles, while trying to keep our material accessible.” she mentioned.
She also discussed how The Public Source’s editorial practices cannot be compromised by funders and investors that may come with preconditions. The platform prioritized editorial liberty to stay true to their work.
“We are, for the most part, selective about where we get our funding from. We have, and continue to build, a list of criteria of who to work with and who not to. We list our funders and supporters on our platform and — for the most part, with minor exceptions — these are organizations that resemble us politically. We are an anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist collective, looking at pressing issues through a feminist lens, which is evident in our body of work. While we are keenly aware of the myriad of issues that come with accepting funding from Western sources, the reality we were confronted with left us no other choice. Some of our peers are now reviving and renewing older media platforms and their funding is local, sure, but tied to establishment figures or the banking sector. We would much rather close shop than advance the agenda of someone else," she informed CFWIJ.
The platform is attempting to develop a model that would allow them to become completely sustainable and financially independent in three years.
“Whether we will be able to meet that goal or not is still unclear, but it is ultimately our aspiration to be funded by our readers. We are thinking about different models, like subscriptions and memberships. As an organization that attempts to do work in public interest, we thought that it would not be possible to do so from behind a paywall. So what we’re doing now in the first phase, is getting readers acquainted with our publication, with the quality of our work, and with the kinds of topics, material and issues that we take on,” Lara said.
She also touched upon the crisis journalism is facing and deemed that as a major hurdle for news organizations suffering all over the world.
“Newspapers and other media organizations are slashing secure jobs, shutting down permanently, or increasingly relying on the exploitation of precarious freelancers and I've been through all these experiences, as have most of the founding members of The Public Source. So when the idea for this project was being nurtured, it was first and foremost premised on the belief that we need to democratize our workplaces and, for me, that attempt is a daily practice and, again, that's why our structure is so integral to who we are and how we situate ourselves in this landscape," Lara said.
Moving on from the structural and operational systems of the platform, we then spoke with Lara about the latest article published on the site, a testimony of a person profoundly impacted by the Beirut port explosions on August 4.
At the time of the interview, Lara said the testimony, featuring a domestic worker named Doris Agbakey, was about to be updated with a more accurate reflection of her life in Beirut, adding that the Lebanese sponsorship system is very cruel for domestic workers. When Doris was initially interviewed in Beirut, she was not able to speak freely, particularly after being severely injured during the blasts that shook the city. However, once she was able to return to her home in Ghana, Doris spoke about the injustices she faced throughout her time working in Beirut. As the editor of the publication, Lara thought of a creative way of updating the original testimony which she believes made it even more powerful.
“I was faced with a number of options. We could have simply taken down the article and act as if nothing happened; we could have taken down the article and then republished a new one that portrayed a more truthful recounting of her life in Lebanon, or we could have left the first intact and added select excerpts from the second testimony, particularly in places that reveal deep contradictions,” Lara said, explaining that she eventually decided on the last option.
“This will allow the readers to see the difference between Doris’s first and second accounts. Originally, Doris said she could contemplate coming back to Lebanon, but once she was back in her home country, her response was ‘hell, no. I would never come back.’ Side by side, the reader can compare and see how vast the difference is between these two testimonies,” Lara added.
PHOTO CREDIT: LYNN CHAYA
With concerns regarding the fate of independent journalism across MENA, we asked Lara what it is like for The Public Source to operate as an independent platform, despite the fear of draconian laws threatening press freedom in the country.
“It is obviously in the back of my mind and we have taken some security precautions. We recently got a lawyer on-board for legal representation, if needed at some point. We continue to strengthen our digital security and, of course, we have some mechanisms in place to ensure our physical safety. We are conscious of the risks and we try to mitigate them as best we can, but we will not allow them to make us paranoid or hinder our work,” she responded.
Lara added that when The Public Source was initially conceived, the mission of the organization was precisely to "respond to this moment in particular."
“We knew that there was going to be harsh austerity measures. We knew that the ramifications of those measures were going to be severe, we knew a financial crisis was looming and we had, at that point, identified the need for an organization like ours... that's why we cannot veer too far off from that initial idea, because this is essentially what the organization was founded to respond to. We were working on the establishment of the whistleblowing platform, the only in the country that's tied to a media organization, one of a handful across the region, months before October 17. So, yes, we are aware and conscious of the dangers, but we will not allow the state and its repressive tactics to stop us from doing our work,” she remarked, underlining the weaponization of laws in the country against the press.
Lack of accountability among the ruling class in Lebanon is a norm. Lara shared with us how the many issues that the country faces today are a result of the different crimes committed by those who hold some form of power in the country. She highlighted the lawlessness with examples of the environmental crimes committed regularly in Lebanon.
“A couple of days later, or maybe the day after the explosion, I don't remember exactly when it took place, there was a huge fire next to my place. I’m not sure whose decision it was but they took a lot of the garbage and the debris including glass, metal and different types of material then dumped in a valley, which later caught fire. This is just to give you a sample of the crimes, carried out every single day and no one ever faces any repercussions,” she informed us.
Lara shared that even though the press informs the public and exposes problem areas within the country, there is no accountability, which makes it difficult for justice to prevail.
“Despite its limitations and political affiliations, the press in Lebanon is still very strong. But merely informing the public of wrongdoing is not enough. It doesn’t matter how much you expose these criminals and thugs, nothing happens. Some journalists are doing excellent work but there is no one at all to pass the torch to. No independent judiciary, no real revolutionary forces. They are only one link in a long chain required to attain some form of justice, but everything comes to a halt at the moment of exposure. There is scandal after scandal every single day and people are unfazed by them at this point, and understandably so. Corruption is not a symptom of a deficient system that needs to be reformed. Corruption is the system… so what we need right now is its radical overhaul,” Lara commented.
Violence Threatens Women Journalists In Mexico, Obstructs Journalism
By Rabia Mushtaq
Femicide, drugs cartels, corruption, violence and organized crime — a few keywords that have taken hold of Mexico. The country, despite its vibrant culture and rich indigenous history, has become infamous for its violence. While life in Mexico is relatively affordable, it is overshadowed by the cost of criminal groups and drugs lords. Simply being a woman adds another layer of vulnerability.
PHOTO CREDIT: MIGUEL TOVARFOR
At least 645 women were killed between January and August this year. The Mexican government recorded at least a 2.2 percent rise in gender-based killings of women in 2020, as compared to 2019, as stated in a report by the Executive Secretary of the National Public Security System. Sexual assaults also increased by 57 percent. However, these statistics were disputed by activists who suggested the number of gender-based homicides could be higher than reported.
While the state of security is already bleak for women in Mexico, it becomes increasingly difficult if they are journalists, especially those who report on politics, crime, corruption, and lawlessness in the country.
Press freedom is a luxury for journalists in Mexico. At least six people working in the country’s press and media industry have been killed this year, including four male and two female professionals.
Itzel Aguilera, a documentary photographer based in Ciudad Juárez, stated that it is not exclusively a gender issue, as even male journalists are at a higher risk of being killed over their work.
“Murders of male journalists such as Armando Rodríguez Carreón in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (2008) or Javier Valdés in Culiacán, Sinaloa (2017) were also rampant in the country. In journalism, it is not just a question of gender,” she said.
PHOTO BY KASHMIR PRESS
Julio Valdivia, a crime reporter working near Oaxaca State’s rural zone, was found dead and decapitated in Veracruz this past September. He was reporting on gang warfare in the area for El Mundo de Veracruz. This chilling murder served as a message to anyone who dared to uncover the organized crimes taking place in the country. Pablo Morrugares was killed in August, Jorge Miguel Armenta Ávalos was murdered in May and Víctor Fernando Álvarez Chávez was found decapitated in April this year.
Mariana Martínez Esténs, an independent multimedia journalist based in Tijuana, said that Veracruz is one of the most dangerous places to work as a journalist. State and local politicians — including the governor — have openly and aggressively painted the press as the enemy, in attempts to silence them.
“Some of the media is bought by the federal and state government and politicians, in general. If all of the media is praising the governor, then someone who does not, stands out more, becomes a nuisance and eventually remains vulnerable to attacks,” she said.
Among the women, Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona and Maria Elena Ferral Hernández were murdered in February and March, respectively. Chihuahua based Teresa aka Barbara Greco was an announcer for an astrology segment on a radio show at La Poderosa, while long-time journalist Maria was the co-founder of El Quinto Poder — a local news website based in Papantla, Veracruz.
Maria was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in broad daylight on March 30. She was known for her reporting on corruption, crime and the police. She wrote a weekly column — titled Polaca Totonaca (Politics of Totonaca) — on her website. Before being killed, Maria wrote about the murders of four potential mayoral candidates in Gutiérrez Zamora — a town known as a prized territory for criminal groups.
She was shot three times with rounds that caused excessive bleeding and eventually succumbed to her injuries. Reports later suggested that her killing was a result of her profession. Her killers remain at large.
Teresa, on the other hand, was reportedly killed for her views on violence against women and children in Mexico, particularly in relation to the killing of a seven-year-old girl in Mexico City. Teresa was shot by a group of gunmen, who opened fire as she stood with her father outside her home on February 19. They immediately fled the scene and are yet to be apprehended.
“In the case of María, it is evident that it was a direct constant persecution and intimidation. Teresa was murdered after she condemned a girl’s murder, just like many women do. We all show solidarity and condemnation. We should not lose sight of the fact that in Mexico they are killing ‘us’ whether or not we are journalists, artists, or activists,” Itzel said.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANADOLU AGENCY
Itzel further added that women journalists are at a greater risk of being killed for their journalistic work. She highlighted some of the incidents from the past including Lydia Cacho’s case, as she had to leave the country following threats and intimidation.
“In 2019, assailants entered her house and murdered her dogs. It was a way to show her that she could be killed too. Regina Martínez was also murdered in 2012 for her investigative journalism,” Itzel shared.
Mariana, on the other hand, highlighted that both women spoke against the machista culture in Mexico.
“It is fascinating and sad that both of these women had very different paths, but they coincide when they’re talking against the machista culture and violence against women,” she said when commenting on the two murders.
Almost two months later, María Fernanda de Luna Ferral — Maria’s daughter — was attacked by gunmen in Gutiérrez Zamora. She was subjected to this physical attack after her car came under fire by attackers while she was on her way to Xalapa. de Luna luckily survived the attacks after her bodyguards — provided by the state of Veracruz — resisted the attack with equal force. She was known to have taken over the reins of her mother’s publication after her assassination. de Luna was also provided a supervised residence in Xalapa since the beginning of April, following threats to her life.
“There are many interests involved, so if a family member wants to continue with the investigation, their lives will also be at risk. As long as there is impunity in this country, murders will continue to silence the voice of those who denounce these crimes,” Itzel opined.
Mariana said that family members of those disappeared, murdered and attacked take it upon themselves to fight for justice.
“This is not only true for journalists. Usually the families of those murdered and disappeared remain in great danger. A lot of them flee their hometowns and states, only to have their lives completely destroyed because they are left without any protection,” Marina observed.
According to The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), at least nine cases of threats and violence against women journalists have been documented from January to September. These are the cases that the CFWIJ found through various sources including news websites. Many such incidents do not even make it to news, considering how often women are threatened for speaking up against their perpetrators. They are vulnerable to murders, impediments and attacks both in the field and within newsrooms. They are sexually harassed and also intimidated with violence.
Mariana said that while working as a journalist in Mexico is already dangerous, this vulnerability is exacerbated for women.
“We are more vulnerable to danger because of our gender,” she said, while emphasizing that the real danger starts in the newsroom, where harassment or dismissal of women reporters is very common.
“You are overseen by your bosses, who choose a male reporter to do certain reports and topics. If you are a mother, you are not considered reliable and become less hirable. When we go out on the streets, we find sources that sexualize and harass us. Drug cartels use sexual violence on their victims, including journalists," she stated.
Many of the attacks on women journalists are often portrayed as cases of domestic violence in the media. This provides criminals an escape from being investigated and punished for their possible involvement in these crimes. In most cases, family members of these journalists are also at risk of being persecuted.
PHOTO CREDIT: HECTOR QUINTANAR FOR AFP
“This argument about domestic violence or dispute is a way to lessen the number of attacks against journalists. When big international organizations are trying to document the attacks against journalists, whether they are men or women, the latter is mostly tried to be kept off the list in the guise of domestic violence,” Mariana said, adding that there is a lot to gain for criminal groups when an attack on a woman journalist is dismissed and linked with their private life.
Women journalists are time and again subjected to different types of threats and discrimination, regardless of whether these attacks are linked to their journalistic work or not.
In February 11, Julia Santín of news website Los Llanos del Sotaviento, was attacked by members of the Fuerza Civil who hurled death threats at her and her colleague while they were reporting a protest in Ciudad Isla. Edna López, a reporter or A Título Personal, was also threatened by a Fuerza Civil policeman, who held a gun at her head during the coverage of the same protest.
Lucy del Carmen Sosa — an El Dario reporter and co-founder of the Network of Journalists of Juarez — was subjected to discriminatory behavior by Javier Corral Jurado, the Governor of Chihuahua, after he refused to respond to her questions during a press conference held on February 17 and 24, respectively. She then filed a complaint against him for violation of her rights to information. Later, it was reported that authorities visited her office under dubious circumstances, while she was away on leave.
Isabel González, a journalist working for Grupo Imagen, was openly threatened by a male journalist earlier this year. Self-proclaimed journalist and vlogger Paul Velázquez verbally attacked Isabel and said, “I hope they shot her”. Even though he later apologized for his threatening remarks followed by criticism on social media, the damage was already done.
Isabel denounced this "act of hatred and incitement to violence" against her during a conference at the National Palace in March. She addressed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at one of his regular morning conferences and requested protection from the Interior Ministry. Instead of taking her plea seriously, the president offered her ‘hugs’.
In June this year, Baja California Governor Jaime Bonilla discredited the work of Aline Corpus — a journalist and member of the Mexicali Journalists Network — during a press conference. She had reported a story about local authorities concealing actual figures related to Covid-19 cases.
Legal threats are also another dilemma for women journalists in Mexico. On September 12, journalist Carmen Olsen — a journalist in Baja California State, who investigates acts of corruption committed by the police chief of Rosarito — was charged with a six-month prison sentence for alleged offenses made to municipal policemen in 2013.
Miroslava Breach, a journalist who worked as a correspondent for national newspaper La Jornada and regional newspaper Norte de Juarez, was gunned down outside her home in Chihuahua on March 23, 2017. Her reporting was focused on human rights, corruption, organized crime and drug trafficking. Her murderer, Juan Carlos Moreno Ochoa aka El Larry, was sentenced to 50 years in prison in August this year.
Last year was also scarred by the brutal killing of journalist Norma Sarabia, as well as male journalists. Norma worked for a local newspaper Tabasco Hoy and was shot dead in the south-east city of Tabasco on June 12. To this date, her culprits have not been caught or punished. At the very least, these women journalists deserve justice.
“Those restricting press freedom in Mexico are criminal groups who hold power in certain sectors. Journalists, who hinder the interests of these mafia or criminal groups through their work, are killed,” she commented.
Mariana, too, echoed Itzel’s words in relation to different dangers that journalists face in Mexico.
“The current president Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been very critical of the media for their reporting on his government. Whoever questions him, his policies and politics is labeled as an enemy of the public good… This allows other enemies of the press to feel that somebody has their back. Therefore, they can attack the press more freely. We’re surrounded by all sides and remain in a ring of fire at this moment,” Mariana lamented about the worsening state of security for journalists in Mexico.
Interview
“Telling A Story Is Crucial” — Wiktoria Bieliaszyn
Polish journalist talks about the growing hope for change among Belarusians, police brutality and encountering a groundbreaking moment in the country's history
By Katarzyna Mierzejewska
Wiktoria Bieliaszyn is a Polish journalist, specializing in Eastern Europe, who spent almost a month in Belarus covering the ongoing protests. “I hope I can come back soon. I need to come back soon” she says.
Wiktoria prepares news updates, reports and interviews for the most prominent Polish media outlets such as Gazeta Wyborcza, Tygodnik Powszechny, Tygodnik Polityka and Magazyn Pismo. She has spoken to representatives of Belarusian opposition, including Maria Kolesnikova and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as well as human rights activists and the many individuals who feel the time has finally come to say “enough”.
“My goal was to depict the present social and political landscape in Belarus, as accurately as possible. I wanted my pieces to reflect the current spirit that is flowing through the people. It was crucial to put into words the level of motivation that pushes Belarusians to consistently continue to protest” she reveals. Wiktoria admits that the power and strength that resonates among the citizens is unprecedented. Even though the country has encountered protests following previous controversial elections, they by no means compare to what is happening now. This is undoubtedly a historic example of widespread mobilization in Belarus.
Wiktoria successfully reached the places meant to be kept from the public eye. Where the access was denied not only to citizens, but also —perhaps even especially— to foreign correspondents. The regime has been persistent in their effort to impede a leak of information that could paint the authorities in a bad light and expose their uncompromising behavior towards peacefully protesting citizens.
One of such places is the infamous prison in Minsk, Okrestina (Akrescina in Belarusian). “Director of the Centre for Human Rights Protection openly told me that the brutal incidents in the prison can surely be described as crimes against humanity. People have been beaten and tortured. Detainees have been exposed to both mental and physical abuse. Although most of the victims are men, women also suffer. Numerous heroines of my articles were threatened to be raped with police batons. We now know that many women were, in fact, raped” describes Wiktoria. All because Belarusians dare to protest a rigged vote.
Being surrounded by the shocking level of violence that emanates from Okrestina is very challenging, even as a mere observer. Journalists covering the protest in Belarus have quickly realized that their press badge may not protect them from police brutality.
“Current protests in Minsk are a very difficult environment to work in. Not only for me but also for more experienced journalists. We were on the front line, making us targeted by OMON. Law enforcement agencies wanted to prevent us from conducting our research freely and presenting the situation truthfully. They created obstacles to ensure that fewer people abroad would see how the protests look from the inside — how they tackle social uprising and how they really treat people” mentions Wiktoria.
It’s despicable yet understandable from a certain point of view. Free press is a natural enemy of any authoritarian regime.
Wiktoria admits that although she is now back in Warsaw, her mind has stayed in Minsk. “I saw a lot of hope but also a lot of violence. A man died close to where I was working one evening. It is a lot, though I don’t want to sound like a heroine” she confirms but quickly adds that she could not imagine a different job, especially after what she has experienced there.
“I now realize more than ever that journalism entails a high risk. We need reporters in such situations, we need access to information. Indeed, the fragility of life strikes me, and I reflect on how I put myself in danger. At the same time, there is no alternative for journalists who love their job and are committed to it. I absolutely understand and respect those who choose different paths. I surely know now which one is mine”.
Wiktoria did not go easy on herself, wanting to be the first in even the most uncertain hotspots. By seeing everything personally, she ensures her testimony can be valuable and authentic to the audience. Witnessing the massive social movement in Belarus has shaped her perception on journalism: “I wanted to show how far the authorities can go to protect their position in power. And they can do a lot” – she says and continues “This job helps me to understand the mechanisms that support the state apparatus. I can verify information and try to prevent disinformation from spreading, for instance, by repudiating fake news in conversations with people”.
Does she ever get scared? “Yes, I did get scared, moreover I let myself be scared. This is a lesson I took from my colleagues who have more experience in the field. However, the key is to not allow stress to take power over you. Feeling it is normal and human, but you need to stay focused while, of course, keeping your own safety in mind. I have doubts, but I stay motivated. I know I both want and have to do it” she explains.
Wiktoria frequently visits Russia and covers the violations of human rights there; she is no stranger to the abuse of power and widespread suppression of political opposition. She admits that such events mark their influence and stay with her. “I strongly oppose injustice and I can’t remain passive. People who are innocent and unarmed take to the streets to fight for freedom, not to cause harm. In return they are hurt, even killed, and their rights are violated. I feel like we cannot let this topic become forgotten, dismissed. Belarusians value the presence of the media. They want to be heard, they want their stories featured in foreign news for the world to see and acknowledge their reality. They don’t want to be left alone” Wiktoria enumerates.
Protests in Belarus have already been announced by many as a “feminist revolution”. Wiktoria agrees that women play a fundamental role in the current anti-government movement. “One of my longer reads is completely devoted to Belarusian women. I do agree that this movement has a female face. Not only literally in the figure of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, but in the numerous inspiring women who attend the protests daily. They regularly organize solidarity actions, they wear white dresses —the colour emblematic of innocence and peace. Women are fearless, they encounter OMON with confidence and try to release men from officers’ hands. As Belarus is still deeply rooted in patriarchy, men are motivated, even feeling obliged to join women on the streets, thinking: when our women are aiming to overthrow the dictator, we can’t be worse!” explains Wiktoria.
The patriarchal mindset, deeply imprinted in social structure, sometimes means that women experience slightly better treatment, especially when it comes to direct confrontation with forces in the crowd. However, Wiktoria emphasizes that OMON has used violence towards people throughout the country, a well-established systematic strategy. She was detained herself —“Due to so-called patriarchal customs I was released quite quickly, just in time for my flight back to Poland. I was lucky that it happened after the peak of violence. If I had been detained earlier, they would have probably had me deported. I can only wonder what would have happened in the prison.” she reveals.
She had another encounter with police units fresh after arrival in Minsk. “I was coming back home in the middle of the night after covering the protest. Suddenly, I saw a white bus packed with OMON officers in black uniforms, faces covered, who immediately ran to the street from the vehicle. That day I had already escaped OMON once and now I was just too tired to do so. One of them grabbed my arm and stopped me. I decided to speak English and pretend to be a naïve tourist, unaware of my surroundings. It worked. He let me go and started chasing other people who decided to run at that very moment.”
It wasn’t the last time she was approached by the officers. It also happened a few days prior to her departure. “I was about to go to Freedom Square with a Belarusian friend who was showing me around in the city. Luckily, I didn’t have a press badge nor a passport, just a confirmation of the flight on my phone. They stopped us but we were able to leave freely”. On that day Wiktoria also found out that OMON was under orders to stay away from women and focus on men.
Wiktoria repeated on various occasions how valuable the support from other journalists was.
“Colleagues who were more experienced in the field, familiar with such work conditions, always helped me estimate the real danger of certain situations. Yet the motivation to document these events remained strong. Every journalist who is attached to the story, not indifferent, will find energy to continue doing his job. Telling a story is crucial. We don’t need special spurs, maybe just psychological support. I still don’t know how my body and mind will deal with the aftermath of what I saw, heard and experienced” she admitted.
Wiktoria’s support system was not limited to comrades from the industry. She shared how much good energy and hospitality she received from Belarusians themselves. “People who had never met me before, never heard of me, came and offered help with no hesitation. My laptop had broken and some people lent me theirs for two weeks. They never checked if I was who I claimed to be. They simply asked me to write and publish stories from their country, so the world can grasp what is happening in Minsk” – she adds with gratitude.
The protest is surely fueled by the immense energy of the young generation, yet it’s not limited to them. “73-year old Nina Marginska takes part in every single demonstration. She strongly believes that the time for young people has come and they understand what freedom should look like. The older generations should listen to them” – describes Wiktoria.
Wiktoria is glad that Belarus has finally been making headlines in the largescale media. She is aware though, that its peak may be soon over and interest in Belarus will slowly fade away. “I am familiar with media specificity and I am concerned that soon the international community will get used to ongoing demonstrations and the whole movement will cease to exist in people’s minds. We cannot let this happen. On a purely human level we should be mindful and engaged” – she concludes.
Between Economic Fragility And Societal Violence — This Is How I Live As A Freelance Journalist In Tunis
By Maha Jouini
I start my day with a cup of coffee placed in front of my laptop. Then I send proposals to websites and Arab magazines, anticipating their acceptance, with hopes to make some money through that work to pay for my internet subscription and purchase new sneakers that fit public transportation.
Even though I am fluent in more than three languages and have several academic certificates, I do not have a fixed salary or work certificate or social insurance or even a document that proves my profession as a journalist. Why? Because I am a freelancer. After I finished my Master’s degree from China’s Tianjin University, I began writing for media outlets and then began the waiting game.
Every time I write something, I wait for the remuneration to be transferred to my bank, which would only arrive after three months or more. By the time the payment arrives, I am already on the verge of a nervous breakdown, anxiety, and sometimes, even shame and guilt. I am often unable to face my mother, whom I left to study abroad, and promised her that I will earn a respectable certificate in technology and Artificial Intelligence. While I came back with my certificate, there was no job that I could boast about. I could barely look into her eyes.
My limited financial capacity makes me feel weak and helpless in front of my mother. Whenever I write about women’s rights in Tunis and support the LGBTQ community, Defaming campaigns and attacks by former regime supporters in Tunisia, as well as online harassment and calls for physical attacks against me take pace. These, however, do not kill me. But my mother's questions about my future kill me every single time.
I try to gather strength, keep my head high and tell her what the famous Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm said: “This byline is mine and these words are mine.”
But while I speak, she intervenes and questions about the impact of the work on my health. She says, “You stand for so long holding the camera. What about your swollen feet? Your back is now almost bent by writing all the time. What about your medicine?”
Writing about freedom in Arabic is like standing in the midst of a wartime battle. This is how you get strokes that explode the ground beneath you and call for ravens to eat your body. Just like what these online insects do to our reputation, damage our lives and hold trials in the name of honor, national sovereignty and religion.
Writing freely made me swing between economic fragility and marginalization like the groups I picked to defend. Since 2012, I have been writing about my Amazigh ancestors and blogging under my Amazigh name, which has deprived me of many privileges. I still remember the Arabic platform that refused to publish my articles, only because I am proud of my Amazigh identity.
I can also write in English and French, but I always feel like Arabic letters are carved inside me like the Amazigh letters tattooed on my aunt's arm that she still has not erased, even though religious leaders told her it is not acceptable.
To be a freelance journalist is being starved while standing in a long line of social support, without an identity that proves your affiliation to the profession and without a bank account and some balance in there to fall back on for financial stability. A freelance journalist is a fighter without identity. I am one.
Maha Jouini
Maha Jouini is a Tunisian author and journalist. She graduated from Tianjin University of Science and Technology and has contributed widely to Sino-African relations. Currently she is working as Communication assistant at Arab Institute for Human Rights. She has previously worked as a media coordinator in the African Union campaign to end child marriage in Africa and was based in Ethiopia from late 2014 to 2017. The Maghreb Voices platform named her as the personality of the year in 2018 for her major role as a social media influencer. She is one of the most prominent human rights defenders in the Arab region, particularly around the rights of indigenous peoples such as the Kurds, Nubians, and Amazigh. In her many publications and television appearances, she has championed the rights of these peoples to preserve their heritage. She has received many honours and participated in international conferences on women’s and indigenous people’s issues.
Round Up Of Threats Women Journalists Faced
CFWIJ documented at least 54 cases of threats and violence against women journalists in September. Following are some of the most prominent cases of the month.
United States: JPR reporter April Ehrlich arrested covering anti-eviction protests
Reporter of Jefferson Public Radio, April Ehrlich was arrested while covering the news of dispersing of homeless campers who have been evicted from their “tent city” in Hawthorne Park.
Sep 26, 2020
Peru: Paola Ugaz faces criminal defamation suit following smear campaign against her
Investigative journalist Paola Ugaz is facing legal harassment following her investigation of allegations of sexual abuse by the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, a religious organization in Peru.
Sep 25, 2020
Turkey: During the tenth hearing of İsminaz Temel and Havva Cuştan, travel bans still not lifted citing journalists in exile
The tenth hearing of the case where ETHA editor İsminaz Temel and Havva Cuştan along with 21 others are charged with “membership of terror organization” was held.
Sep 23, 2020
Canada: Arrest of Real People’s Media journalist Starla Myers for reporting on 1492 Land Back Lane is proof of prejudice against indigenous journalists
Indigenous journalist Starla Myers was arrested on Sep 16 by police over her coverage of protests of land defenders in the 1492 Land Back Lane action reclaiming land along Haldimand Tract.
Sep 22, 2020
Pakistan: Naya Daur Managing Editor Ailia Zehra stands up to online harassment
Naya Daur Media’s Managing Editor Ailia Zehra, following a surge of vicious online attacks which include death threats.
Sep 22, 2020
Germany: Rise of extreme right wing is a threat to women journalists in the country
Menace towards journalists in Germany is on the rise with right-wing extremism taking the platform more publicly in the country.
Sep 18, 2020
Mexico: Legal harassment of journalist Carmen Olsen continues with a defamation case
Carmen Olsen who investigates acts of corruption committed by the police chief of Rosarito was harassed by municipal police officers.
Sep 17, 2020
United States: KPCC reporter Josie Huang arrested with brutal treatment while while covering shooting of Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies in critical condition
KPCC reporter Josie Huang was arrested with brutal police violence in the United States.
Sep 15, 2020
United States: Trump’s reprehensible treatment of women journalists continue ahead of November elections
President of the United States Donald Trump is notorious in his treatment of journalists, especially by making demeaning remarks against women journalists.
Sep 11, 2020
Saudi Arabia: Trolling is weaponized against women journalists and dissidents. Lebanese journalist Zahra Hankir was trolled over dismissing an invitation to moderate “Women20 engagement group”
Lebanese journalist Zahra Hankir was viciously attacked on twitter with trolling and defamed cartoons.
Sep 11, 2020
North Macedonia: Al Jazeera Balkans journalist Milka Smilevska attacked during protest in Skopje
Al Jazeera Balkans reporter Milka Smilevska was attacked by an unknown man along with her crew member while covering the protests.
Sep 11, 2020
Turkey: Imprisoned journalist Müyesser Yıldız is charged with 20.000 TL for “insulting” the Minister of National Defense
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the pre-trial detention of Müyesser Yıldız, who is at risk under pandemic conditions. It is further unacceptable that the imprisoned journalist.
Sep 10, 2020
Turkey: Hülya Kılınç along with six other journalists were released but charged with “opposition to the law on National Intelligence Agency”
The verdict hearing in the lawsuit filed against journalist Hülya Kılınç for her report on the death of a MİT (National Intelligence Agency) officer in Libya was held.
Sep 10, 2020
Egypt: Journalists spend their lives behind bars in uncertainty. Journalist Shaimaa Samy's pre-trial detention was renewed again.
Supreme National Security Prosecution Office renewed journalist Shaimaa Samy’s pre-trial detention period again.
Sep 9, 2020
United Kingdom: BBC’s specialist disinformation reporter Marianna Spring is targeted with vicious online attacks
Marianna Spring, a specialist reporter covering disinformation and social media for the BBC and BBC World Service has been targeted by vicious online attacks.
Sep 9, 2020
Egypt: Women journalists condemn the “ Fire extinguishing” policy of the press syndicate.
Egyptian women journalists released a new statement condemning the press syndicate’s policy towards their demands. We stand behind the demands pushed by women journalists.
Sep 9, 2020
China: Ill-Treatment of US journalists as reciprocation is unacceptable
Ranked as the fifth least free country in the world according to the World Press Freedom Index, China is notorious for its treatment of journalists, especially foreign journalists.
Sep 7, 2020
Pakistan: Brutal murder of Turbat-based journalist Shaheena Shaheen Baloch calls for swift investigation
Shaheena Shaheen Baloch, a journalist with PTV Bolan was brutally murdered in Turbat, Balochistan.
Sep 5, 2020
United States: Bay Area women journalists come together condemning sexist comments of blogger Richard Lieberman
he Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) stands with women journalists who voiced dissent against blogger Richard Lieberman.
Sep 5, 2020
Egypt: Journalist Doaa Khalifa accuses one of the presidential aides of threatening and intimidating her
Doaa Khalifa of Al-Dostor newspaper posted a video on her Facebook account accusing Colonel Ahmed Shaaban, presidential aide for media of intimidating her over her dissident views.
Sep 4, 2020
Bulgaria: Police target journalists in effort to disperse anti-government protests
With anti-government protests continuing for two months in Bulgaria, tensions intensified between protesters and security forces during a rally in Sofia.
Sep 4, 2020
China: Australian anchor Cheng Lei detained with no warrant and legal reason is another evidence of the government undermining press freedom
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is once again dismayed at the way Chinese government and authorities silence the press.
Sep 1, 2020
Saudi Arabia: Prisoner of conscience Loujain Hathloul's health condition is deteriorating in imprisonment.
Prisoner of conscience Loujain's health is deteriorating in her imprisonment due to her hunger strike.
Sep 1, 2020
Women Journalists To Follow
Snigdha Sur
Snigdha Sur is the founder and chief executive officer of The Juggernaut - a premium publication that focuses on stories related to South Asia and also highlights the stories on global South Asian diaspora. Snigdha’s platform has provided South Asians across the world to share their voices in a way that encourages discourse on relevant matters. Their take is simple and engaging, especially for millennials, who are looking to learn about the region through diverse content.
Marium Chaudhry
Marium Chaudhry is the founder of The Current - a digital media platform focused on politics, entertainment and lifestyle news from Pakistan and beyond. Her past experiences of working as a journalist in Pakistan are reflective of the work her platform does, all while keeping up with wokeness to engage with digital-friendly audiences. Through her platform, Marium has transformed the way youth in Pakistan is participating in political and social discourse.
Deeyah Khan
Deeyah Khan is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She is the founder of Fuuse - a media company, and sister-hood - a digital magazine. Deeyah has won the Emmys and Peabody awards for her 2012 film Banaz: A Love Story. Her 2017 documentary Jihad: A Story of the Others also got her nominated for the BAFTA, Grierson and Monte-Carlo Television Festival. While Deeyah’s magazine spotlights the voices of women of Muslim heritage.
Laxmi Parthasarathy
Laxmi Parthasarathy is the Chief Operating Officer of the Global Press Journal - an award-winning news publication. Global operations of every Global Press brand is led by her and she has been diligently heading the expansion and sustainability plans for the publication around the world. Laxmi is known for her prowess at managing initiatives involving media and development in different countries around the world.
Badass Women Authors
A World Between
Emily Hashimoto writes about two college-going teenage girls who meet in an elevator. The girls are nearing adulthood with massive ideas, get gripped into a romance and eventually separate. After several years, they both meet again on the streets of San Francisco. Both have grown up, changed and are joined with their partners. Theis debut novel by Emily is perfectly narrated focusing on two women who are different yet interconnected as they try to manage their families, friendship and their own romantic past.
Why Should I Tell You?: A Guide to Less-Extractive Reporting
Written by Natalie Yahr - a fellow at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Journalism Ethics, this is a guide you’ve been waiting for to help with all your reporting woes. Comprising 12 rules to make reporting more useful for reporters and their interviewees, this guidebook also focuses on communications with sources, being aware of boundaries, and introducing inclusivity to the editorial process.
Afterland
This eerily prophetic plot by Lauren Beukes is set in the aftermath of a pandemic that kills the world’s male population. Cole’s son is one of the last males left on the planet and the mother-son duo are on the run. While it follows a peculiar sci-fi, dystopian and apocalyptic storyline, the book is a relatable read given how the world has spent most of this year amidst a global pandemic.
Transcendent Kingdom
This is a follow-up novel to Yaa Gyasi’s debut work Homegoing, which focuses on a family from Ghana that now resides in Alabama. Gifty, a member of this Ghanian household, is a PHd student at Stanford. Through the lens of neuroscience, she struggled to understand her family’s experience concerning addiction and loss. Yaa interweaves religion, love and science together, and turns it into an emotional tale.
Podcast Picks
The Tip Off
The Tip Off allows you to explore the best works in investigative journalism. In every episode, they speak with journalists who have worked on an investigative scoop and take you behind the scenes of their process. The way these journalists put their detective skills to use and reach their ultimate goal of getting the scoop out for the world to see is something that you can look forward to.
Listen here.
The Writers’ Co-op
Hosted by freelance experts Wudan Yan and Jenni Gritters, The Writers’ Co-op is a business podcast for anyone interested in understanding the freelance industry. From finding clients to managing time and from handling different assignments at a time to getting fairly paid, the podcast is your one-stop solution to everything you’ve ever wanted to learn as a freelance writer or journalist.
Listen here.
It's All Journalism
Produced in partnership with the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, It’s All Journalism is focused on changing the state of media. Michael O'Connell and Nicole Ogrysko invite journalists and ask them about the work they do, while also discussing latest trends in the industry and its impact on America’s democratic society.
Listen here.
The Mobile Storytelling Podcast
Hosted by MoJo pros Wytse Vellinga and Björn Staschen, The Mobile Storytelling Podcast is your go-to guide to everything you need to know about mobile journalism. They offer you the best advice on how to pull off your journalistic stories in the palm of your hands, especially during a time when you are working from home.
Listen here.
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