2020 First Quarterly Report

1. About CFWIJ

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience since and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrivingly.

2. Objective of the report

This report presents an image of the threats that women journalists around the world faced between January to April 2020. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented cases where women journalists have been found vulnerable to various threats as a result of their work. In the first four months of 2020, women journalists were murdered, arrested, faced legal persecution, verbally harassed, abused and threatened online, as well as physically harassed, attacked and assaulted while working in precarious conditions. CFWIJ has been monitoring the situation in various countries around the world, where we have observed the various aspects of threats and attacks in the different regions with focus on their peculiar nature of incidents. In order to gather data, CFWIJ kept a close watch on news, updates and first hand information regarding the many dangers women journalists encounter, which put their safety at risk. The data and information documented by CFWIJ has been consolidated in this report that shares the findings of our work so far.

3. CFWIJ Data

From January to April 2020, women journalists were found vulnerable to numerous threats around the world. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) documented more than 125 cases of threats and attacks on women journalists.

27.1% Attacked or impeded in the field

According to our data, 33 cases of women journalists being attacked and impeded in the field were noted. The most number of cases were observed in the US, with India following its lead.

12.4% Physical assault

Around 15.7% of journalists were subjected to physical assault. The 14 cases that CFWIJ documented were reported in India, UK, Afghanistan, Syria, Russia, Venezuela, Malawi, Chile, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and Mexico. Women journalists were assaulted for their work in the field. In addition to assaults and attacks, three cases of physical harassment were also reported.

11.6% Harassed online

From January to April onwards, 15 cases of online harassment were noted by CFWIJ. India led with 23.7% cases followed by the USA with 18.2% women journalists receiving barrage of abuse and trolling online. Countries like Pakistan where online harassment of women is common stood at 9.1% of the total cases

10.9% Legally persecuted

Legal harassment was 10.8% of the cases with over 12 women journalists facing legal prosecution for their journalism. While Turkey dominated with the most number of cases against women journalists, countries including Iran, USA, India, Pakistan, Russia, Egypt, Malaysia, Poland, Egypt, Cuba, and South Ossetia also resorted to pursue legal action against their women journalists.

4.7% Threatened with violence

CFWIJ observed South America as the most vulnerable region with respect to women journalists receiving threats of violence. We noted cases in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Iran, and the USA.

20% of cases documented between March and April were linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

4. Cases documented from January to April

From January to April 2020, women journalists were found vulnerable to numerous threats around the world. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) documented more than 125 cases of threats and attacks on women journalists.

January

CFWIJ documented 32 cases of threats to women journalists in January. With 21.2% of cases observed in the USA, 12.1% in India, and 9.1% in Afghanistan, women journalists had a rough start to 2020.

• Following the death of basketball player Kobe Bryant, a Washington Post’s national political reporter Felicia Sonmez posted an article about the sports person's sexual assault history, which drew ire from his fans online, as well as faced suspension by her employer. She was sent on an administrative leave by the publication. In the meantime, the Post reviewed if the tweets related to Kobe Bryant violated their newsroom’s social media policy. Following condemnation by her colleagues and supporters of press freedom worldwide, WaPo reinstated Felicia.

• The Trump administration was found sidelining journalists associated with the media outlets that were openly critical of the president’s policies. NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly and Michele became the target of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who first cursed Mary for questioning him about his then planned visit to Ukraine during a nine-minute interview. Days later, he barred Michele from travelling with his delegation to Ukraine.

• Turkey remained on our radar following its trails against women journalists. Seyhan Avşar, Hazal Ocak, and Pelin Ünker were all entangled in attending trials for lawsuits filed against them. Reports of Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ruken Demir being subjected to abysmal conditions in prison were received by CFWIJ, while news of Evrensel and Birgün journalists being deprived of their press cards also made headlines in January.

• January also witnessed an unfortunate ruling against two women journalists in Burundi. Agnès Ndirubusa and Christine Kamikazi, along with their two male colleagues, were sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment and a fine of one million Burundian francs for “trying to undermine state security”. The journalists were arrested in Musigati District while reporting on an armed attack by anti-government rebels in the Bubanza Province on October 22, 2019. They were denied bail and were later ordered to be detained in November 2019.

• Cuban journalist Iliana Hernández was being threatened through the country’s draconian Decree 370. Her house in Havana was raided and she was subsequently charged with “receiving stolen property”.

February

In February, CFWIJ documented 35 cases of threats to women journalists. Around 21.2% cases were documented from India and the USA followed by 15.2%, while countries like Mexico stood at 12.1%, Pakistan at 6.1%, and the UK at 6.1%. The following was a breakdown of prominent cases documented in the month.

• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in New Hazelton arrested American journalist Melissa Cox for filming protests by the indigenous people on an unceded Gitxsan territory. She was released after seven hours of detention and interrogation.

• Women journalists covering protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were attacked during riots by those supporting the act after the riots escalated on February 26. A reporter of a mainstream news channel, Parvina Purkayastha was attacked with sticks and bricks. Another journalist, Runjhun Sharma was caught between an attack on a mosque, as she stepped in to save her colleagues. Ismat Ara, a muslim reporter, feared sharing her religious identity while reporting on the ground and was followed by multiple men who found her suspicious.

• Shaista Hakim, a Pakistani female journalist from the conservative valley of Swat, was subjected to gender discrimination after she was denied membership of the local Press Club and Electronic Media Association by her male counterparts.

• Elena Milashina, a Russian investigative journalist, physically attacked by an angry mob in a hotel lobby in Grozny, Chechnya. She was in the city with a human rights lawyer Marina Dubrovina, where the two were following the trail of a jailed blogger. Elena accused Chechen authorities for the attack and added that she had been earlier threatened by the Chechen government. She also received death threats via the internet after the incident.

• Gayle King, an American TV presenter, was harassed online after clips of her questioning Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault charge were circulated on the internet by CBS - the TV network she works for. Snoop Dogg also resorted to abuse and threatened Gayle by posting a video online, following his personal association with Kobe. He later deleted the questionable video and apologized.

• Pakistani journalist Gul Bukhari, who lives in exile, was threatened with “terrorism charges” after being allegedly summoned by the country’s federal investigation agency for her “defamatory remarks” against state institutions. Known for her criticism of state and its policies regarding human rights, Gul could have had a court case registered against her under PECA [Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act] and the Anti-terrorism Act involving “terrorism charges”. It was also later reported that the government of Pakistan wrote a letter to the UK government urging them to take action against Gul for using “British soil for her nefarious activities'' against the state.

• Women journalists in Turkey continued to face trials in February. Durket Süren, Zehra Özdilek, Meşale Tolu, Semiha Şahin, Pınar Gayıp, and Danish journalist Sultan Çoban - who covered Kurdish issues - were all facing trials for terrorism charges throughout the month. The 45 journalists working for Hurriyet newspaper were wrongfully dismissed by their paper, after which they took the publication to court for not being given any compensation, legal rights or justice.

• A Filipino journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio - correspondent of Altermidya Network and Eastern Vista, who reported on human rights abuses in the Eastern Visayas region - was arrested by authorities in the Philippines during a raid across Tacloban on February 6. She was accused of “illegal possession of firearms”. Frenchiemae was labelled as a high ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which is considered a dangerous allegation in the country.

March

CFWIJ has documented 41 cases of threats to women journalists in March. While 29.7% cases originated from the US, Turkey and India stood at 8.1%, Pakistan and Australia had 5.4% cases, while Nicaragua and Egypt followed with 5.4% of the total cases documented. March also saw an upsurge in the cases of Covid-19, after which several countries including Iran and China resorted to suppress facts regarding the spread of the virus. In this month, two women journalists were prosecuted for their coronavirus reporting.

• Guardian’s Cairo correspondent Ruth Michaelson was forced by authorities in Egypt to leave the country after her Covid-19 reporting - focused on the health crisis in Egypt - was published. Ruth’s press accreditation was already revoked, which prevented her from working in the country, and she was later asked to leave the country. Ruth’s report was based on a scientific study by infectious disease specialists from the University of Toronto. It stated that Egypt potentially has a larger number of coronavirus cases, which were not being quoted by the government. The Egyptian government was enraged and resorted to expel her.

• Ebru Küçükaydın, a publication coordinator of a Turkish news website - Haberimizvar.net - was detained for a coronavirus story. Even though she was released after giving her statement - wherein she shared that the purpose of the news was to keep the public informed, the website had to delete the said piece of news.

• In Pakistan, women journalists faced online harassment due to Aurat March on the occasion of International Day of Working Women. They were subjected to a smear online campaign in the lead up to the march but the online abuse intensified even after it ended. Online abuse of CFWIJ member and journalist Marvi Sirmed also escalated after the Aurat March. She was earlier verbally abused on live television for her feminist views.

• Despite having judicial control measures lifted by the court, Jinnews reporter Kibriye Evren continued to face a travel ban due to propaganda charges pressed against her. Following her underlying health conditions, Kibriye will attend another hearing of her case on July 14.

• Another journalist in Turkey, Hülya Kılınç was arrested and deemed “anti-state” by the Turkish government for an article she had written. The article mentioned the name of a deceased intelligence officer of MIT (Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization), who was killed in Libya. Hülya is currently imprisoned inside the Bakırköy Women’s Prison.

• In March, CFWIJ also observed the detention of two women journalists in Turkey. They were detained after they lodged a complaint of their homes being attacked by the Sputnik Turkish Service. Their homes were then searched by the Ankara Provincial Police Department, which also seized their electronic equipment. The journalists were released after interrogation.

April

As of April 23, CFWIJ has documented 28 cases of threats against women journalists. Our data shows that 68% of all cases were related to Covid-19. India had the most number of cases with 28% of the pool, followed by the USA at 24% and Pakistan with 8% of the cases.

• The month was largely punctuated with multiple cases of women journalists facing challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic. CFWIJ focuses on the most critical cases in this report’s dedicated Covid-19 section.

• A first-time woman CPI-M legislator, U. Prathibha Hari appeared live on her Facebook page late last night and was expressing her displeasure against journalists. "it's better that instead of doing reports, both male and female journalists should engage in selling their bodies for a living," she said.

• US-based journalist Erin Van Der Meer was told by her publication that her payment of over $8,000 would not be paid until further notice. The notice actually defies New York state laws, where it was issued.

• Masrat Zahra, a photojournalist working out of Jammu and Kashmir, was charged for “anti-national activities” because of her posts on social media. The charge was made under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and is a clear attempt to censor the journalist.

5. Murdered Women Journalists

Two women journalists were killed in Mexico between January to April. The country has been a hotbed of femicides, but when women journalists are killed, the motives that lead to their killings are often linked to their work in the profession.

Maria Elena Ferral Hernández

On March 30, senior journalist Maria Elena Ferral Hernández was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in Papantla, Veracruz. She was a courageous journalist who was known for her reporting on corruption, crime and the police. Days before her murder, 55-year-old Maria had written a column e wrote a column titled ‘The Power Struggle’ for La Polaca Totonaca. Her column was about the murders of four politicians who wanted to occupy the municipal presidency of Gutiérrez Zamora. Even though the reasons behind her murder were unclear, Maria was allegedly targeted for her writings as a journalist. In 2016, Maria received threats from a local political candidate from Veracruz. She released a video to inform that Camerino Basilio Picazo Pérez, the former mayor of Coyutla, was sending her death threats. She was also harassed and threatened by other politicians, to an extent that she sought protection from the state commission for protecting journalists. However, the protection was later withdrawn by the government. Investigation of Maria’s murder is ongoing, but her killers remain at large with impunity.

Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona

On February 19, radio host Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona was shot outside her home in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. A group of unknown gunmen shot and fled the scene. Teresa aka Bárbara Greco, 37, was the host of an astrology programme on a local radio channel La Poderosa. It is alleged that she had been vocal about violence against women and children in Mexico, particularly referring to the case of a seven-year-old girl killed in Mexico City. Following the ever-increasing rate of femicides, specifically in Ciudad Juarez, Teresa’s murder in broad daylight became another instance of brutalities women are subjected to in the country. While no formal statement was issued by local authorities, it is highly likely that she was gunned down for speaking against the violence that women and children continue to endure each day. Mexico is already notorious for its treatment of journalists. Last year, journalist Norma Sarabia was also shot dead by unknown gunmen, who are yet to be arrested and punished. Teresa’s murder was the first to be recorded in Mexico this year.

6. Top five countries with frequent threats against women journalists

According to the data collected by The Coalition For Women In Journalism, the United States of America, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Mexico were the top five dangerous countries for women journalists. Women journalists encountered various forms of threats and attacks within these top five countries. Following is the breakdown of all the prominent threats they have faced so far:

USA

• Around 19.4% of the total cases of threats to women journalists around the world emerged from the United States in the first quarter of 2020. The CFWIJ documented more than 20 cases wherein the most were those obstructing women journalists from working in the field, while verbal, sexist and racist attacks were also frequently observed. Resistance from the Trump presidency was rampant, as women journalists were hampered during press conferences, barred from attending briefings and travelling on government trips as part of their job.

• In January, NPR reporter Michele Keleman was barred from joining Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on a trip to Ukraine, as a result of his spat with another reporter of the same news organization. Washington Post’s national political reporter Felicia Sonmez’s case garnered immense attention after she was suspended for her tweets mentioning the late basketball player Kobe Bryant. Her arbitrary suspension was condemned by advocates of press freedom which also included her colleagues at the Washington Post Newspaper Guild, after which the organization reinstated her. Two women journalists were caught in legal battles. A New York Post reporter, Tina Moore’s Twitter data was subpoenaed by the NYPD in relation to a post-9/11 anti-terroism law. The subpoena was withdrawn after lawyers of her publication contacted the department to counter the proceedings against their reporter. Arrest warrants, racist attacks, verbal harassment, and loss of income were frequently heard of after the novel coronavirus outbreak.

India

In India, CFWIJ documented at least 16 cases which made up around 13.6% of the total threats to women journalists. Several cases involved physical assault, attacks in the field and online harassment leaving women journalists vulnerable in the South Asian country. Journalists like Rana Ayyub continued to be harassed online for their views, while many were found subjected to physical and verbal harassment for their work. Those working in Kashmir worked amidst greater threat following the valley’s lockdown since August 2019. Journalists covering the anti-CAA, CAB and NRC protests also faced immense resistance by goons and supporters of right-wing political parties in India.

Pakistan

CFWIJ documented six cases of threats against women journalists in Pakistan, making it 4.9% of the total numbers of documented cases. While some women journalists were subjected to online harassment and abuse, others were found being intimidated by the state for their journalism.

• In January, senior journalist Munizae Jahangir’s show was abruptly shut down, as she discussed the arrest of civil rights activists in the country. This was the second time Munizae’s show was taken off air. In December 2019, her show went off, as she brought up the issue of missing persons in Pakistan. Another seasoned journalist Gul Bukhari was allegedly summoned by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency for “defamatory remarks” against state institutions. The journalist - who lives in exile - refuted receiving any notice. This was not the first time Gul was threatened for her views as a journalist. She has been previously intimidated by Pakistan’s security agencies for her opinions on matters related to the military's abuse of power and the state of human rights in the country.

• Gender discrimination is fairly rife in Pakistan and women journalists have been discrimnated against like in any other feild. Shaista Hakim’s plight of being discriminated against became a matter of concern among her female colleagues, many of whom do not come forward with their own stories to share. Shaista, however, chose to share her concern. Since men dominate the field of journalism in Pakistan, especially in conservative areas, Shaista was denied membership of the Swat Press Club and the local Electronic Media Association. CFWIJ member Marvi Sirmed was yet again caught in the midst of verbal and online harassment. Covid-19’s impact also affected Pakistani women journalists, as many of them are struggling to maintain their finances following layoffs and pay cuts.

Mexico

• At least seven cases (3.9%) of threats against women journalists were documented by CFWIJ in Mexico. According to CFWIJ’s documentation, the country was found to be the most dangerous for its women journalists, after two were killed in Ciudad Juarez and Veracruz, respectively. The first case of murder was reported in February, where radio journalist Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona was shot dead outside her home, allegedly for her vocal views against femicides in the country. In March, senior journalist Maria Elena Ferral Hernández was shot dead in Papantla, Veracruz. Known for her courageous reporting on corruption, crime and the police, Maria received threats to her life by local politicians in the Mexican port city.

• Following their reporting on the country’s human rights violations, stories of corruption and crimes, women journalists were attacked and physically assaulted by criminals and law enforcement agencies alike. They were attacked while covering protests in the field and threatened with violence for being associated with independent media outlets. Journalist Lucy del Carmen Sosa filed a complaint against the governor of Chihuahua, who disregarded her questions during a press conference, violating her right to information.

Turkey

• Between January-April 2020, 18 cases were filed against women journalists in Turkey. More than 25 women journalists were tried in these cases. 12 of them were accused with terrorism related charges. Nine of them were dismissed from Hürriyet newspaper without any explanation. Four of them were charged for insulting or identifying a public officer/businessman as a target. Two of them were detained because of just their journalism practice. At least 12 out of 18 cases which were held between January-April were adjourned without any verdict. Five women journalists were released or acquitted. Three reporters - two of them women - were subjected to physical attack. One woman journalist was detained with a police raid because of her news article about Covid19. 10 women journalists’ trials were adjourned until April 30 because of Covid-19. The number of imprisoned women journalists was six in the beginning of 2020. Three of them - Melike Aydın, Sadiye Eser, Ruken Demir- were released; one woman journalist -Hülya Kılınç- was arrested in January. Total number decreased to four. -Ayşenur Parıldak, Hanım Büşra Erdal, Hatice Duman, Hülya Kılınç-. Eight out of 18 cases were against women journalists who are working for pro-Kurdish media outlets.

7. Covid-19

The Covid-19 outbreak intensified in March 2020, with journalists focusing more on stories related to the global pandemic. CFWIJ began documenting the outbreak and its impact on women journalists across the world mid-March, after having received its first emergency support request. Considering the need to easily navigate reporting the pandemic, CFWIJ developed a dedicated Covid-19 webpage for women journalists to access resources, guidelines and advice on covering the virus. CFWIJ also kept a track of women journalists who were being persecuted and facing censorship for their coronavirus reporting around the world, its impact on press freedom and health hazards while reporting on the ground. A map featuring women journalists on the front line from different countries was also added to help newsrooms and editors hire/commission them for stories relevant to the pandemic. This effort by CFWIJ was aimed at supporting the work and ensuring the safety of women journalists who, despite challenges, continued with their work.

Women journalists on the Covid-19 frontline

Covid-19 has been one of the most challenging subjects for journalists around the world, as many of them have found themselves reporting on a global pandemic - a reality no one knew would strike them in 2020. After the majority of women journalists started reporting on the novel coronavirus, they were confronted with unfathomable challenges in their career. Even those reporting on lifestyle and culture, began covering the pandemic in their respective regions. It was only natural for them to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable while reporting a global health crisis. While working on the front lines amid Covid-19, safety of these women journalists have been at risk of contracting the virus with insufficient or no protective gear, persecuted for reporting the facts about the pandemic, being harassed and attacked in the field, as well as the toll of Covid-19 on their mental health. CFWIJ reached out to women journalists who have been documenting and reporting the pandemic from various countries around the world. While some have access to protective gear and products to keep safe, others have had to step out for work without any safety precautions in sight. Since journalists have been granted the status of ‘essential personnel’ in countries affected by Covid-19, they are required by their respective governments to present specific documents to continue their work in the field, especially in hospitals.

Risks to Imprisoned women journalists amid Covid-19

Authorities in Turkey have long been notorious for their treatment of women journalists inside jails and as of now, four women journalists - Ayşenur Parıldak, Hanım Büşra Erdal, Hatice Duman, Hülya Kılınç - have been imprisoned for their journalism. Not long ago, CFWIJ announced the inhumane conditions inflicted on the Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ruken Demir. Journalist Sadık Topaloğlu, who was recently released, also called out Turkish government for their treatment of imprisoned journalists and that the conditions inside jails leave them vulnerable to health risks in the midst of Covid-19.

• Nine women journalists are inside jails in Iran where Covid-19 clenched its jaws rather rapidly. Narges Mohammadi, Shima Entesari, Sepideh Moradi, Avisha Jalaledin, Hengameh Shahidi, Sanaz Allahyari, Atefeh Rangriz, Assal Mohammad, and Noushin Jafari are among the journalists who have been kept behind the bars in prisons across the country. Despite the risk of Covid-19, these journalists have been locked with risks to their health increasing ten folds.Following immense family and diplomatic pressure, British-iranian journalist Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was granted furlough on March 17. But in order to restrict her movement, she has been ordered to wear an ankle tag by the Iranian judicial authorities.

• Six women journalists are still languishing inside Chinese prisons. Gulmira Imin, Rozi Atikem, Wang Jing, Wang Shurong, Li Zhaoxiu, and Chimengul Awut remain imprisoned even after the novel coronavirus outbreak intensified.

• Syrian journalist Tal al-Mallouhi remains vulnerable to the novel coronavirus, after she was arrested as a part of KCK operations in Turkey in December 2009 and remains imprisoned.

• Egyptian authorities have two women journalists - Shorouq Amjad Ahmed al Sayed and Solafa Magdy - imprisoned. The former was arrested on April 25, 2018, without any legal authority, while the latter was arrested in November 2019. She was allegedly targeted for defending her friend, 6 April founder Israa Abdulfattah, who was kidnapped by Egyptian security forces in October. Egypt has not released the journalists even amid Covid-19 threats.

• Saudi journalists and human rights activists Nouf Abdulaziz Al Jerawi and Nassima al-Sada have been locked behind bars since the spring of 2018. They have been for their human rights activism and speaking truth to power. The two women remain at risk of contracting Covid-19 inside Saudi prisons.

• Palestinian journalist Bushra Al-Tawil is also kept behind bars by Isreali government, despite the threats of Covid-19. She was arrested from her house from the occupied West Bank city of Al-Bireh on December 16, 2019. The Israeli Army Commander of the Central Command issued a military order to put her in administrative detention for four months. Her administrative detention was renewed for four months on March 29. The journalist faces persecution by Isreali authorities even during a global health crisis.

• Vietnamese human rights activist and blogger, Huynh Thuc Vy, was arrested by police in Buon Ho town, Dak Lak province in August 2018. She remains imprisoned, as the pandemic grips several countries across the world.

• Filipino journalist Frenchimae Cumpio remains imprisoned behind bars after she was arrested on February 6, during simultaneous raids across the Tacloban city targeting journalists and human rights activists.

Press freedom under Covid-19

• Algerian journalist Meriem Chorfi and her two male colleagues were arrested and placed under judicial control because of their work on the pandemic. They are being charged with an “attack on national unity” and “dissemination of publications which may harm the national interest”.

• In Russia, Elena Milashina came under fire when she reported on Covid-19. Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Chechnya threatened the journalist on live TV because of her reporting. At a time when more reports are needed about the virus and its spread, government officials are trying hard in several countries to keep the truth hidden.

• Photojournalist Julia Rendleman faced a warrant because of her Covid-19 coverage in the USA. Her story about Covid-19 patients on a campus led to an overreaction from the management of the university it was about.

• Serbian journalist Ana Lalic was arrested for her reportage of the pandemic. She was accused of “causing public unrest and damaging a hospital’s reputation” because she brought to light the lack of medical supplies and equipment for hospital staff. Her report was focused on the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina. The situation is made complicated by the Serbian government’s decision to “forbid anyone not in its Crisis Staff from issuing any information”.

• Guardian's Cairo correspondent Ruth Michaelson was forced by Egyptain authorities to leave the country for her COVID-19 reporting. Her press accreditation was already revoked by the government. Egyptian officials accused Ruth of “misreporting and spreading panic” using an “unreliable study”.

• Turkish journalist Ebru Küçükaydın - the general publication coordinator of news website Haberimizvar.net - was detained because of her news article on Covid-19 on March 16. She was released after her statement was recorded. The news was deleted from the website.

• Malaysian journalist Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias was charged with three counts of “causing public fear or alarm” regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Wan pleaded not guilty. She allegedly commented about the epidemic on a Facebook account called “Ibu Yati”.

• Iran’s Cyber Police have currently set up a national task force to deal with rumours and misinformation regarding the virus. The government arrested 24 people for disseminating “misinformation” regarding the outbreak on social media, and around 118 also received warnings.

• China has been downplaying the situation around coronavirus and resorted to shut down online discussions. The Chinese government has detained and threatened professional and citizen journalists who have been critical of the government’s mismanagement following the Covid-19 outbreak. China has also revoked press credentials of three journalists - Chao Deng and her two male colleagues - working for the Washington Post, following their story titled ‘China Is the Real Sick Man of Asia’.

• Numerous Middle Eastern governments have initiated a clampdown against journalists for reporting on Covid-19, as many have lamented about the governments concealing facts with respect to coronavirus cases and lack of transparency by authorities. In Syria, the only source of information about the coronavirus can be obtained from the president’s office or intelligence services. The government made this announcement on February 22, a month after which the country’s first case was confirmed. Since Syria was closer to Iran geographically, it was impossible for the country to not have a case while its neighbour was hit hard with the pandemic. Syrian authorities had allegedly asked doctors to not speak about Covid-19. Even though several people had died of the virus.

• Authorities in Iraq suspended Reuter’s license and fined the news agency with 25 million dinars for a news story on Covid-19, which claimed that “Iraq has thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases, many times more than the 772 it is has publicly reported”. The government denied the story and added that Reuters was “relying on vague sources and false, fabricated and untrue information on the ground”.

• Iraqi Kurdistan have arrested journalists for sharing posts on social media criticizing the measures of the autonomous Kurdish government, being critical about the postponing of salaries to civil servants during the pandemic. One of these journalists was taken into custody for criticizing a raid on the house of a man who was suspected of contracting the virus, while another was arrested for filming a large gathering in the midst of a curfew.

• Despite addressing the media at press conferences on a daily basis, Saudi Arabia’s apparent transparency has been rather deceiving. Even though the national media is toeing the line of the regime, Saudi government has been criticized for its mistreatment of Qatif-based citizens - majority of whom are Shia - returning from Iran. A member of the royal family later tried to address the issue by staging an interview with a Qatif resident, who happened to be the first person to be cured of Covid-19 and shared his positive feedback on his treatment.

• Jordan’s measures to curb the spread of coronavirus was to shut down the print of newspapers. The country also arrested two journalists for criticizing the lockdown.

• Israel has restricted the movement of people and has imposed surveillance to monitor its citizens. Several people in the country were investigated on suspicion of creating fake news.

• Belarus has intimidated independent media outlets that have been critical of the government’s fragile approach to deal with the virus. The government recently arrested and convicted Sergei Satsuk - the editor of Yezhednevnik, an online newspaper - for his story criticizing the administration regarding coronavirus.

• The government of Turkmenistan has ordered its people to avoid using the word ‘coronavirus’ in a bid to stop the spread of misinformation related to Covid-19. The state media does not discuss anything about the virus and an independent news outlet Turkmenistan Chronicles that reported this information remains blocked in the country. Citizens receive very limited information regarding the pandemic.

• Journalists and media outlets in Thailand fear publishing anything about Covid-19 since the government has made any “false or capable of causing fear in the public” punishable by up to five years in prison. This decision was taken after a state of emergency was declared on March 26. The country even arrested a Thai citizen, who shared a post on his Facebook about the lack of Covid-19 screenings at Phuket airport, just three days before the decree. Even though he was released the next day, the citizen has to appear in court on May 12.

• Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro verbally attacked the media, while denying the severity of Covid-19. On March 22, he accused the media of creating “hysteria” and “causing panic” since news about the pandemic has intensified around the world. On another instance, he humiliated a group of journalists and lashed out at them for highlighting the pandemic’s gravity and the need for citizens to ensure precautions.

• The Hungarian government has been involved in a smear campaign against independent media and has accused them of “publishing disinformation” about the pandemic. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has had a law passed regarding coronavirus, which includes a provision that can sentence a person up to five years in prison for spreading fake news. The government will have the last word and decide whether a media report is true or false.

• In Belgium Journalist Maria Udrescu, who works for La Libre Belgique, received vulgar messages for her coronavirus reporting.

• The most absurd claim regarding Covid-19 has been made by North Korea. Even though the country shares its borders with the virus hotspots South Korea and China, it has claimed to report ‘zero’ cases of coronavirus. The government reported that its citizens were under medical monitoring for coronavirus symptoms but has not shared any official confirmation regarding its presence in the country.

• Journalists in Chad have been attacked while covering the government’s measures to control Covid-19.

• Authorities in the Philippines are being persecuted for “spreading false information” regarding coronavirus. They have been charged under section 6(6) of the "Bayanihan to Heal As One Act," that President Duterte signed into law on March 25, with the aim to address Covid-19.

• Myanmar has blocked 221 sites for spreading “fake news” regarding fake news.

• Indonesia has also placed measures to fight disinformation about the pandemic. If a journalist criticizes the government, they will have to face the possibility of being locked behind bars for 18 months, following a directive issued by the head of the Criminal Investigation Agency, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo on April 4.

• Government in Tajikistan has refused journalists’ questions regarding coronavirus and has claimed that there are no such cases in the country. Journalists have also been accused of “sowing panic” among the public and two journalists were also investigated by the police at length. The country has resorted to concealing facts and information regarding the pandemic.

• Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen initiated measures to control the coronavirus situation in the country. It also involves institutionalising censorship within the media using Article 5 (11), which provides for “Prohibiting or restricting the distribution or broadcast of information that could generate public alarm or fear or generate unrest, or that could bring about damage to national security, or that could bring into being confusion regarding the state of emergency.”

• Five reporters in Zimbabwe were arrested for their Covid-19 coverage focused on the lockdown, which began on March 30.

• Ukranian journalists Alla Zhiznevska, Dina Zelenskaya, Galina Eremitsa, Alina Sheremeta and their crew, were attacked for their coronavirus reporting.

• On March 24, just a few hours before the lockdown in India was imposed, the government requested 20 of its biggest media outlets to report “positive stories” in the midst of the coronavirus to bridge the gap between the government and the public. On March 29, the pandemic had emerged in the country. The government has since been exercising control to curb information regarding Covid-19 by asking the supreme court to “direct” the media to publish nothing about the virus “without first ascertaining the facts from the mechanism provided by the government”. Journalists have also been booked for fake news on coronavirus in the Telangana state.

• UAE has announced fines for spreading “unauthorized” health information about the virus.

• A misinformation law in Nigeria’s Ebonyi state was passed to penalize the spread of misinformation regarding coronavirus, after which a reporter was detained for a report he wrote on Covid-19.

Two women journalists contracted and succumbed to Covid-19

• CBS journalist Maria Mercader died in a New York hospital after contracting Covid-19 on March 29. She was fighting cancer and other related illnesses for 20 years. She had been on medical leave for an unrelated matter since late February.

• Russian journalist Anastasia Petrova succumbed to Covid-19 on March 31. Even though regional health authorities denied the possibility of the novel coronavirus, the facts in Anastasia case stated otherwise.

Layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts and loss of work in times of coronavirus

• Journalism, as an industry, is already known for its precarity. But following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it has become all the more uncertain, especially in the months of March and April. Financial instability is at its peak with the media industry experiencing the consequences of an ongoing, global health crisis.

• Numerous women journalists - both working full-time and freelance - are financially suffering, as the global pandemic continues to affect most countries around the world. The financial crunch for journalists is real during these challenging times.

• While women journalists working full-time have been affected due to pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs, those working as freelancers have been relatively hit harder. They have had their contracts revoked, their payments seized, along with lack of health insurance and reimbursement of expenses, as well as their projects cancelled as a result of Covid-19, leaving them under the pressure of extreme financial burden.

• Organizations have attempted to financially exploit the services of freelancers at a time when they should be offered more support to manage their expenses in times of a global health and financial crisis.

• Employees who call in sick are either being fired or being forced to quit their jobs. In Southeast Asia, several contract workers struggle to apply for a sick leave. Only 55 per cent workers in the US are entitled to take time off with pay, while calling in sick is not a viable option. In India’s otherwise vibrant newspaper industry, a decline in advertising revenues has taken a deep dive, leading several papers to take the route of pay cuts and slash jobs as a result of the outbreak.

• Exploitation of freelance writers and journalists was also observed. One such example is that of ELLE UK. The lifestyle magazine came under fire for asking a woman photojournalist to work in exchange for a small fee and expenses. The email was sent with ELLE UK’s picture editor Diana Eastman, who wrote that the publication was “looking for a female photojournalist/documentary photographer based in the UK who is able to visit several key workers and document their experience for ELLE.” The fact that the email was sent is disappointing already, but what drew more ire was how the publication seemed oblivious to the hazards of Covid-19.

• “We hope this will be a way for someone to lend their talent and give back at this strange time and contribute meaningfully towards thanking our female frontline heroes,” the email stated. This, albeit not a shocker, did come across as an heedless and apathetic attempt of contracting a freelance professional.

• This was not all, some out of industry organizations contracting individuals to write for their blogs and websites were also found making the wrong decisions. For instance, Equinox - an American luxury fitness company - was called out for sending letters to its contractors and seizing their payments due to the coronavirus outbreak. The company informed them that it will not be able to pay their invoices until further notice. A freelance writer and journalist shared about her ordeal on various social media platforms where she mentioned that the company has sent her a letter and owes her $8000. Given what Equinox did is illegal in New York State, her posts drew traction and the company received flak. It later contacted the aforementioned writer/journalists and assured to pay her dues.

• Amy Brothers, a former Denver Post employee, shared on her Twitter that she has been laid off after working for the publication for five and a half years. She was informed about the layoff while she was on assignment.

• In Pakistan, the Express Media Group stalled one of its ongoing special projects and laid off employees who were associated with it. Another Pakistani media group, AAP News was shut down by the owner - real estate mogul Malik Riaz - in April.

• Both print and digital media outlets have also suffered due to the outbreak. As of March 27, at least 300 people in local American newsrooms lost their jobs as a repercussion of coronavirus, as reported by CNN Business. Numerous newsrooms have cut down their cost by completely eliminating their freelance budgets. Budget freezes have become a bane, especially for freelancers in California, US, who were already struggling to wrap their heads around the AB 5 law, which restricted their work to 35 submissions per outlet in a year.

• The Outline - online publication - laid off its employees declaring a shocking end to its trend-setting, millennial-focused editorial vision. The news broke like wildfire after Leah Finnegan, the magazine’s executive editor tweeted about the staff being laid off.

• Local newsrooms have resorted to temporary furloughs and staff layoffs. Approximately 28,000 workers from different news media outlets in the US have been borne the brunt of the ongoing pandemic, some of which rely on advertisements to keep their finances running smoothly. Employees of organizations are also struggling to apply for unemployment aid by the government. Some have had trouble contacting relevant authorities, while others are not confident about the eligibility criteria of receiving the safety net.

• Covid-19 has pushed the Indian news media industry over the edge as several publications asked journalists to hand in their resignations, settle for pay cuts, or take extended leaves without pay. Women journalists are facing serious financial crises; while many blame the pandemic, CFWIJ’s documentation shows that in some cases the novel coronavirus has been used as an excuse.

• For many workers in the global media industry surviving on meagre incomes, the devastating impact of the novel coronavirus, including the deteriorating global economy and lockdown, has turned the future of financial stability murkier than ever.

Racist attacks on women journalists for Asian ethnicity

• With Covid-19 spreading across the world from Wuhan in China, racist attacks against the Asian community have drastically increased. Racism in the US witnessed an upsurge against Chinese people; however, those from belonging to other countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia have also not been spared. The anti-Asian sentiments have not stopped since the outbreak has crossed borders.

• At a Filipino grocery store in LA, a woman hurled “China brought this virus here” at a podcast producer Paola Mardo. Paola is a Filipino American, she was wearing a mask while she was shopping at the store and said she was in shock after hearing the woman’s comments. The woman then told Paola “Oh my God, please don't give me the virus.” Paola said that even though she was not a Chinese, she was racially attacked for looking the same.

• Jiayang Fan, a staff writer at The New Yorker, took to Twitter to share how a man yelled and hurled abuses at her while she was taking trash out of her house. She said that the man did not seem “drunk or mentally ill”. The incident, however, left Jiayan offended and afraid.

• Weijia Jiang, a White House correspondent of CBS News, also shared an instance of being racially attacked by an official of the President’s office. The man in question referred to coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu” virus on her face. Weijia tweeted that if the officials can say that to her in person, she wondered what they would call it behind her back. Many people extended their support to Weijia for having gone through the racist attack, while others asked her to name and shame the perpetrator.

8. Sportlight: Women journalists in Turkey

The question of media freedom takes on a particular character in Turkey. The government prosecutes women journalists for their works which tarnishes press freedom in the country. Since the beginning of 2020, more than 25 women journalists have been accused of anti-state activities while they practise journalism. Most of them struggle with legal persecution. Authorities see sending journalists behind bars as a way of silencing opposition voices. Nearly every woman journalist who criticises the government is taken into custody and accused of being related to a terrorist organisation. 

However, the number of imprisoned women journalists decreased to four from six since the beginning of this year. While three women journalists were released, one more woman journalist was arrested in 2020. When compared to 2019, the number has decreased by half. Eight women journalists were arrested last year. While we fight against the coronavirus outbreak, the government should release all women journalists considering the pandemic. During this global pandemic that has paralyzed the entire world, it is pertinent for Turkish authorities to release all the journalists and allow them to stay at their homes, to ensure their health and safety. The government must take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this outbreak, especially inside jails and allow the press to cover the pandemic in a fair and transparent manner.

In this section, CFWIJ documents arrests, releases, detentions and dismissals of women journalists since January 2020.

Woman journalist arrested for being “anti-state”

• Odatv correspondent Hülya Kılınç was taken into custody by teams in Manisa, after which she was brought to Istanbul to testify before the prosecutor. Hülya has been accused of naming an intelligence officer killed in Libya in her story published in Odatv on March 3. The officer’s name was previously mentioned by Ümit Özdağ, a member of the parliament. Hülya appeared in court on March 5 after her statement was recorded by the prosecutor, following which the court issued her arrest.

Women journalists released from prison

• Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ruken Demir has been released after 115 days. She was taken into custody on November 12, 2019. Ruken was accused of “carrying out activities on behalf of a terrorist organization”.

• Mezopotamya Agency reporter Sadiye Eser was released by an Istanbul court on March 26. She was arrested for “being a member of a terrorist organization” because of statements given by a secret witness. According to the witness’s statement, Sadiye was accused of carrying out activities on behalf of a terrorist organisation. 

• Jin News reporter Melike Aydın has been freed from pre-trial detention by the Izmir Criminal Court – that will be overseeing her trial – following her attorney’s appeal on January 31, 2020. She was arrested for “engaging in activities on behalf of a terrorist organization”.

Journalists dismissed from Hürriyet newspaper

• At least 45 journalists who are members of CFWIJ partner in Turkey, the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) were notified of the dismissal through a letter which was sent to their homes by journalists’ employer, while they were still at work. They were terminated without any compensation, legal rights, or justice. Some journalists also reported that access to their computer and e-mail accounts was blocked.

Journalists attacked for their reports

• On March 2, an unidentified group of 15-20 people attacked the homes of three reporters - two of them women - with the Sputnik Turkish Service. When they first attempted to file a complaint at the local police station, they were instead directed to the Ankara Provincial Police Department. Here, detention warrants were produced for all three and they were taken into custody. Officials then searched their homes and seized their electronic equipment, including their computers. During the interrogation, the police reportedly said that the journalists had been detained due to a report by Sputnik International titled "The Stolen Province" about Hatay. At the moment, the journalists have been released after they gave their statements. They are yet to present themselves in court.

Acquittals

• Işıl Özgentürk was acquitted after the second hearing of her case on March 5. She was accused of “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation” through her social media posts.

Detentions

• On March 16, Ebru Küçükaydın, a general publication coordinator of news website Haberimizvar.net, was taken into custody from her home in Antalya because of her story about the coronavirus. She was released after her statement was recorded at a local police station. The news was also deleted from the website.

Trials postponed until April 30, 2020

• On March 16, Turkish government adjourned all trials in Turkey except the trials of imprisoned people. Therefore, the hearings of 10 women journalists weren't held. During this time, one woman journalist -Ruken Demir- was released from prison. One woman journalist -Ebru Küçükaydın- was detained because of her news article about Covid-19.

Turkish women journalists on trials

The media crackdown in the country has led to the arrests and detentions of dozens of women journalists. The number of women journalists who struggle with legal persecution for their work in 2020 has continued to increase. At least 25 women journalists were tried in the cases filed against them between January and April. In this section, it will be introduced the information of trials since CFWIJ keeps following in 2020. The following information below presents the type of threats which women journalists are subjected to, the charges which they are facing and more information which make the current situation easier to evaluate in the light of these facts and figures. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the current crackdowns on Turkish media. Press freedom in the country gets bogged down by arresting women journalists because of their news articles. CFWIJ investigates these trials to show threats against journalists and create a safer environment for the industry in the scope of freedom of the press. Women journalists themselves are still under existential threat. They should release and be allowed to perform their work without worrying about arrests.

Arjin Dilek Öncel

Date: January 8, 2020

Location: Diyarbakır

Media outlet she works for: Mesopotamia Agency

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her social media posts

Charge: “Making propaganda of a terrorist organisation”

Requested punishment: Between 1.5 and seven years in prison

Seyhan Avşar

Date: January 9, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Cumhuriyet

Type of threat: Legal Persecution

Cause of threat: Her news story

Charge: “Identifying a public officer as a target for terrorist organizations"

Requested punishment: No information yet.

Hazal Ocak

Date: January 23, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Cumhuriyet

Type of threat: Legal Persecution

Cause of threat: Her news story

Charge: “Insulting the public official”

Requested punishment: One million Turkish Lira in non-pecuniary damages

Beritan Canözer

Date: January 28, 2020

Location: Diyarbakır

Media outlet she works for: She was a reporter of JINHA which was shut down by the state in 2016.

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her social media posts

Charge: “making propaganda for a terrorist organization”

Requested punishment: No information yet.

Pelin Ünker

Date: January 31, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Cumhuriyet

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her news story

Charge: “Defamation and insult”

Requested punishment: TL 500,000 in non-pecuniary damages

Melike Aydın

Date: January 30, 2020

Location: Diyarbakır

Media outlet she works for: Jinnews

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Covering the Kaz Mountains and protests by the Çiğli Women's Platform

Charge: “Engaging in activities on behalf of a terrorist organization”

Requested punishment: She was in jail since November, 2019 Details: She was released on January 30, 2020.

Durket Süren

Date: February 5, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Jinnews

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her social media posts and selling copies of Azadiya Welat and Özgür Gündem newspapers

Charge: “willingly helping a terrorist organization" and "creating propaganda for a terrorist organization”

Requested punishment: Eight and a half to 20 years

Zehra Özdilek

Date: February 12, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Cumhuriyet

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: "disclosing the name of a secret witness in an interview she conducted with a teacher dismissed from duty through a statutory decree in her news report titled “Onay, who is behind bars for asking for her job back, calls on KESK”.

Charge: “identifying a public officer on anti-terrorist duty as a target"

Reyhan Çapan

Date: February 20, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: She was a reporter of Özgür Gündem newspaper which was shut down by the state in 2016.

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her news articles

Charge: “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”, “praising crime” and “incitement to commit crime”.

Requested punishment: 7,5 years

Meşale Tolu

Date: February 25, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: She works as freelance journalist in Germany

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: attending a march held in 2014 to protest the killing of Suphi Nejat Ağırnaslı,, taking part in an an anti-corruption demonstration organized by the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), attending the funeral of two women who were killed during a police raid at a house in Istanbul

Charge: "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization"

Requested punishment: up to 15 years

Sultan Çoban

Date: February 27, 2020

Location: Konya

Media outlet she works for: She works as freelance journalist

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her Facebook post with pictures of Kurdish fighters in Syria

Charge: “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation” 

Requested punishment: 1 year 3 months

Semiha Şahin & Pınar Gayip

Date: February 27, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: ETHA News Agency

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Their social media posts

Charge: “membership of a terrorist organisation” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”

Hurriyet Employees

Date: February 27, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Hürriyet newspaper

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: They were dismissed without any explanation. 

Requested verdict: They request to get their job back.

Hülya Kılınç

Date: March 5, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Odatv

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her news article

Charge: “obtaining documents and information concerning the MIT’s duties and operations”

Işıl Özgentürk

Date: March 5, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Cumhuriyet

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her social media posts

Charge: “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”

Details: She was acquitted.

Ruken Demir

Date: March 6, 2020

Location: Izmir

Media outlet she works for: Mezopotamya Agency

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Interviews with news sources

Charge: “carrying out activities on behalf of a terrorist organization”

Details: She was released from prison.

Kibriye Evren

Date: March 10, 2020

Location: Diyarbakır

Media outlet she works for: Jin News

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: Her journalistic activities and social media posts

Charge: “being a member of the organization" and "making propaganda for an organization"

Sadiye Eser

Date: March 27, 2020

Location: Istanbul

Media outlet she works for: Mezopotamya Agency

Type of threat: Legal persecution

Cause of threat: allegations by the statements of an anonymous witness

Charge: “being a member of a terrorist organization”

Next hearing: October 15, 2020

Details: She was released from prison.

9. Review in MENA Region

The question of media freedom takes on a particular character in the MENA region. Worldwide, it is the most dangerous region for journalists. Especially women journalists themselves are now under existential threat. In the report, the country profiles present a selection of information about major crackdown and imprisonment of women journalists for each country in the MENA region. According to data from CFWIJ, it will introduce the number of imprisoned women journalists and major problems that they’ve faced. Besides regional facts and figures for each country, quotes from local journalists that we did interview with have become vital to create country profiles.

Iran

Iran has slipped further toward the bottom of its World Press Freedom index because of an increase in arrests of Iranian journalists and citizen-journalists. Detained Iranian journalists often have been charged with spreading propaganda and other national security offenses for posting critical comments about the government via social media. Social media crackdown is one of the most important steps on censoring journalists in Iran. Most journalists are starting to be on trial because of their critical social media posts. Since June 2018, an Iranian women journalist and rights activist Hengameh Shahidi has been jailed for criticizing state policies in social media posts and in interviews with foreign news outlets. 

According to data of CFWIJ, Noushin Jafari, Avisha Jalaluddin, Assal Mohammadi, Nargess Mohammadi, Sepideh Moradi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Hengameh Shahidi were among the women journalists imprisoned by the Iranian regime on December of last year. Since January 2020, journalist Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released on furlough due to Covid-19. Six women journalists are still behind bars despite inhumane conditions in prisons.

Imprisoned Female Journalists

Noushin Jafari

Reporter for Etemad

Her detention was confirmed on 14 August. She was arrested at her Tehran home on 3 August by Revolutionary Guard intelligence agents in civilian dress, who seized data storage devices and CDs. Pro-Revolutionary Guard trolls were the first to report her arrest and the charge brought against her: “insulting Islam’s sacred values” on Twitter.

Sepideh Moradi & Avisha Jalaludin

Reporters for Majzooban Noor

They were arrested in Tehran on February 20, 2018, during a violent confrontationinitiated by the police against Sufi protesters who were demanding the release of a fellow Sufi from detention as well as freedom for their faith’s leader, Nour Ali Tabandeh, who is under house arrest.

Asal Mohammadi & Narges Mohammadi

Reporters for Gam news site

She was arrested at her home by security forces on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, and transferred to Branch One of the Prosecutor’s Office in Evin Prison. Asal Mohammadi had published articles on various websites in support of Iranian workers. In recent weeks, Asal Mohammadi had also written articles in support of the ongoing protests of the Ahvaz Steel and Haft Tappeh workers.

Hengameh Shadidi

Reporter of Nowrooz

On December 10, Shahidi was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison primarily for criticizing Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani. She was detained for five months in 2017. At the time, she was accused of collaborating with Amad News, a Telegram app channel operated by Iranians living outside the country

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy where public protests and political parties are banned, journalists are among the many victims of the government’s far-reaching crackdown on dissent. Journalists perceived a shrinking space for online expression during the reporting period, resulting in a rise in self-censorship.

Saudi authorities keep Saudi journalists under close surveillance—even when they are abroad, as Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in Istanbul in October 2018 illustrated. Authorities under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman detain at least 17 women rights activists as part of a wave of arrests of perceived dissidents. 

The four jailed female journalists were vocal on the country’s ban on women driving. The ban was lifted in June, but the journalists remain imprisoned. Rights groups and news outlets report that authorities torture and sexually abuse female detainees. Saudi officials dismiss the allegations. 

Since January 2020, the situation hasn't changed in terms of freedom of expression. Women journalists are kept behind bars despite the Covid-19 outbreak. Two women journalists are presently behind bars to the best of its knowledge.

Imprisoned Female Journalists

Nouf Abdulaziz

Journalist covering culture, human rights, and politics

On her blog, Breathing, nothing more, Abdulaziz writes about women's rights, Saudi detainees in Iraq, reform activists on trial and politically motivated arrests in Saudi Arabia. Before her arrest, authorities successfully pressured Abdulaziz to stop writing her column.

Nassima Al-Sada

Columnist/commentator covering human rights for Juhaina

In her column for Saudi news website Juhaina, al-Sada covers issues such as Saudi nationality laws, women's political participation, and the U.N. campaign to end violence against women.

Egypt

CFWIJ observed that in Egypt, the state has targeted critical news outlets and imprisoned journalists and blocked them from reporting. Over 500 websites, including journalistic sites, have been blocked. In November 2019, local independent news website Mada Masr was raided by Egyptian police forces. After three hours of detention, three staff members including editor-in-chief Lina Attalah were released.

In October 2019, the blogger Esraa Abdel Fattah went on hunger strike to protest the mistreatment and torture to which she was subjected after refusing to give her interrogators the password to her mobile phone. She is still in prison.

Data archive of CFWIJ shows that at least two female journalists are detained as part of a mass trial in Egypt known as case 441, in which dozens of defendants are accused of spreading false news and being a member of a banned group. 

Thirty-nine violations against media freedoms were documented in Egypt in March, 2020. The majority of the cases are related to information about the coronavirus. Nearly 17 offences were committed by courts and public prosecutors, seven detentions, six blackouts of websites and three arbitrary administrative decisions.

Several Egyptian sources confirm that the news website Huna Aden and the website of the daily newspaper Al Gomhoria El Youm were notified on 15 March that they would be blocked for six months under the explanation that they produce fake news related to the coronavirus pandemic.

One woman journalist was expelled from the country on March 28. Guardian's Cairo correspondent Ruth Michaelson has been forced by Egyptain authorities to leave the country following her COVID-19 reporting. Her press accreditation has also been revoked, which now prevents her from working in the country. As Ruth, many women journalists face censorship while covering this pandemic. CFWIJ follows these journalists and keeps documenting current threats which they are subjected to.

Imprisoned Female Journalists

Esraa Abdelfattah

She has been detained in Cairo since October 2019. The reporter and blogger says she was beaten and threatened after her arrest, and has called for an investigation into her treatment in custody. She is one of several journalists charged with membership in a banned group, spreading false news, and misusing social media platforms to disrupt national security following anti-government protests.

Solafa Magdy

Solafa Magdy, a freelance reporter, has been detained in Cairo alongside her husband, Hossam el-Sayyad, and their friend Mohamed Salah, both also journalists, since late November 2019 on charges of membership of a banned group and spreading false news.

Shorouq Amjad Ahmed al Sayed

She arrested without legal basis in Egypt on April 25, 2018 and she was beaten unconscious, insulted, and threatened with rape until she made the confession sought by her interrogators.

Libya

Libya has a long history of freedom of speech and only after the Arab spring in 2011, the situation of the media improved, bringing a lot of optimism which was reflected in the media and in what was being discussed. However, this didn’t last for long until the elections in 2012. Late in 2012 challenges began to emerge and journalists and media organisations were targeted for their criticism of the government. Media and public figures were threatened and even attacked and kidnapped if not killed. Today, the media still face similar dangers despite the political and economic changes in the country. Libya has an unstable environment for free press. Many issues still stand today.

Since 2020 has begun, it’s still difficult to report in the midst of armed conflict between the east and west of the country. Not only the conflict but also the coronavirus pandemic also causes more restrictions in Libya after virus cases surge. Women journalists are working hard to cover this pandemic while CFWIJ follows their works.

Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan the CFWIJ observed that state intimidation caused most of the women journalists to muzzle their speech. Following some of the remarkable incidents, as narrated in the details below, the precedent of a deeply censored state has been set and most women journalists we have observed reporting on any sensitive subject is close to impossible.

On October 19, 2019, in Baku, several media outlets covered the rally against corruption and low wages. During the rally it was reported that lots of journalists were detained and assaulted. Gulnaz Gambarli and Fatima Movlamli are two women journalists who were detained during the rally.

This year, Azerbaijani journalist Sevinc Osmangizi was also targeted by a smear campaign. She was charged with being a double agent for Russian intelligence while conducting a relationship with a US secret service agent.

The trial of a woman journalist Sevinc Vaqifqizi is still going on. She is accused with insulting honour and dignity” for her headline in a video about the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, which she shot in 2018. She may face a 2,500 manat (about $1,500 fine).

Lebanon

CFWIJ monitoring shows that lots of women journalists lose their jobs because of harassment, threat and abuse in Lebanon. Women journalists who are covering protests in Lebanon are mostly being threatened on digital platforms and facing online harassment. They covered anti-government protests for 50 days last year.

On October 17, 2019, when the protests erupted in Lebanon, a famed Lebanese broadcast journalist Dima Sadek was subjected to an online harassment campaign that caused her mother to die. After her mother received fake photos of her daughter, she had to be hospitalised. Not only Dima Sadek but also other women journalists were experiencing online harassment in Lebanon last year. Rachel Karam, Nancy Sabeh, Halima Tabiaa, Ramez Qadi ou Layal Saad and other journalists at TV station Al-Jadeed also received thousands of messages and phone calls harassing them. Some were accused of being Israeli agents, whilst others received threats of sexual assault.
During the coronavirus pandemic, women journalists in Lebanon are reporting from the front line. CFWIJ follows these courageous journalists. CFWIJ alum Luna Safwan describes the current situation in Lebanon. 

“The government made use of the state of general mobilization in Lebanon to issue more restrictions when it comes to the movement of journalists and media workers.” Luna Safwan says.

Speaking to CFWIJ, Luna also points out the current problems that freelancers are facing, “One of the main challenges that surfaced was the fact that many freelancers don’t have valid press cards to move around curfew and work. Many of these freelancers are women journalists of course, but we do have good support networks for freelance journalists that we all managed to establish due to our personal efforts and so we try to share resources and means of support. But the state of Covid19 in Lebanon surely made it more challenging for journalists and freelancers to get their work done faster.”

“Since the start of 2020 we witnessed a number of incidents where journalists (men/women) were summoned to investigate especially when posting opinions on social media or anything related to corruption and the new cabinet. It seems that this cabinet is larger to try and control the narrative via this type of pressure.” Luna says.

Iraq

In Iraq, journalists face assault and harassment in the course of their work, and are also subject to retaliatory attacks for reporting they are covering. They are mostly victims of attacks and their murders are going unpunished. In 2019, three journalists were killed in Iraq.

On November 12, 2019, the state ordered the closure of eight television broadcasters and four radio stations for three months for allegedly violating media licensing rules, and issued a warning against five more broadcasters over their coverage of protests. On October 1 and 2, 2019, during protests over unemployment in Baghdad, security forces harassed, detained, beat reporters covering the protests, and authorities recently cut internet access to much of the country.

Pressure on media workers as they do their jobs saw no let up during the first quarter of 2020. The Iraqi authorities recently stripped news agency Reuters of its licence for three months after it published an article questioning official COVID-19 numbers in the country. 

Many journalists who criticize the fact that Covid-19 is not properly informed by public authorities about the current data which is not being provided to the public, are struggling with direct and indirect pressures.

Speaking to CFWIJ, Rudaw correspondent Gülbahar Altaş describes the current situation in Iraq and says “It is much more difficult for women journalists to work in the country. Women reporters who are working in media organizations are sent to different cities to report by their institutions. Freelance journalists, on the other hand, try to practice their jub by accessing news sources in the region from the phone instead of the field. Because they are confronted with obstacles to security transitions.”

She also states that The vast majority of female journalists are subjected to mobbing (workplace bullying). 

“In addition to not being able to take adequate health measures (such as masks, etc. are covered in a limited way) by the institutions where journalists work, their working hours during the coronavirus period are also extended by their institutions under the name of ‘fast journalism’. Many of our colleagues who are working on the field are also neglected by their institutions. In case of any misfortune, the institution refuses to take responsibility.”

Syria

Bombarding in northern Syria and the policy of restricting media freedoms have caused and formed violations against the media in Syria. In 2019, different types of violations such as injury, detention, abducting, hitting and confiscation of equipment were observed in Syria. 

In 2019, ten journalists were killed, two of them recently during Turkey’s cross-border offensive against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and a third during a Russian air strike in the Idlib region. 

In March 2020, Merna Alhasan, a freelance journalist who is one of the first women in the region to acquire a significant media profile, was targeted for her coverage of the situation in the Idlib region. Idlib based Syrian journalist faced horrific sexist trolling. Fares Shehabi, a member of the People’s Assembly – the Syrian regime’s rubber-stamp parliament – tweeted the journalist’s photo, claiming that she was an “Al-Qaeda correspondent” who had been raped and left for dead by members of the organisation.

Turkey

Women journalists are trying to be silenced through violence and arrest by Turkish authorities in 2020. While the number of imprisoned women journalists has reached four since last year, more of them are struggling with legal persecution just because of their journalistic activities. Most of them are tried with terrorism related charges. 

Instead of ensuring the safety and hygiene of its prisoners, Turkish authorities have instituted a clampdown on news regarding Covid-19. Many journalists, including women, have borne the brunt of being persecuted for their coronavirus coverage. These encourage women to work despite the danger of coronavirus and legal threats of the government. Media crackdown in Turkey has started to blame journalists for doing “anti-state” activities while they are reporting all facts and figures. Authorities use this way to be able to silence criticised journalists.

Speaking to CFWIJ, freelance journalist Eylem Emel Yılmaz explained the situation presently in Turkey.

“There are many problems, from relations with news sources to information to be taken from official institutions. However, the biggest problem I had as a journalist during the corona period is to reach human stories. It is also very difficult to try to reach the first source of the news. Because we have little opportunity to confirm the news. On the other hand, it takes a long time to get especially statistical information from official institutions. This makes it difficult to complete the news.” Eylem says.

10. Review of Latin America

Reporting on the ground in precarious conditions, being vulnerable to harassment and physical attacks for their work - being a woman journalist in Latin America is not an easy feat. In this section, we take a look at the threats women journalists face in the region. The first part of this section by CFWIJ member Molly Molloy focuses on how journalists report in the Latin American region and Mexico and the second section highlights the most prominent cases documented in Latin America.

Focus on Latin America and Mexico

Molly Molloy - a CFWIJ member, editor of the Frontera List, research librarian and writer specializing in border and Latin American information - takes a look at the Latin American region and bordering country Mexico. Molly focuses on its violent past and the present conditions in which journalists continue to remain vulnerable to danger while they report on the ground. Following is an analysis of her qualitative research on the region.

The Cost of Reporting

Latin America is one of the most dangerous world regions for journalists and Mexico is the most dangerous country, accounting for 36 percent of murdered journalists in the region. The UNESCO Observatory documents 318 journalists killed in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1995—a period encompassing a decades-long civil war in Colombia, political unrest in Venezuela and Nicaragua, a militarized hyper-violent drug war in Mexico, and growing domination of civil society by homicidal street gangs in the northern triangle of Central America. These numbers may be the tip of the iceberg as it can be difficult to verify information on media workers who are killed as so few crimes are adequately investigated.

Murdered Journalists in the Americas 1995-present via UNESCO Observatory

5 killed in June 28, 2018 attack on the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland; 2 of 5 victims were women) Looking more closely at the most recent deaths, since 2019 more than half of the 28 Latin American journalists killed were Mexicans, including at least three women.

Norma Sarabia had worked for 15 years as a reporter for the daily Diario Tabasco Hoy, when she was executed in the doorway of her home in the town of Huimanguillo by a group of armed men on June 11, 2019. Several years earlier, Sarabia had exposed police involvement in kidnappings and had asked for protection from federal authorities in Mexico.

On February 19, 2020, Juarez radio personality Teresa Aracely Alcocer was shot to death at close range in the patio of her home; the murder witnessed by her father. The station manager said that she was not an employee, but had appeared as a guest presenter under the pseudonym of “Barbara Greco” to read palms and horoscopes on the air.

Though widely reported early on, this case disappeared from websites chronicling attacks on journalists, apparently because Teresa’s public persona made her more of an entertainer than a journalist. When a professional organization downplays such a murder, it goes along with the official playbook that looks for salacious details in a victim’s personal life or anything that might connect the violence to a personal or random motivation (a relationship gone bad or a robbery), rather than looking for connections to the victim’s work in the news media.

Since there are so many murders and so few credible investigations in Mexico, the focus on a victim’s personal life serves to absolve leaders of responsibility to protect those media workers who expose links between corrupt government officials and organized crime.

Though not listed by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Teresa Aracely Alcocer’s murder is counted by the UNESCO Observatory and the Director General has officially condemned her murder, as has the Coalition for Women in Journalism.5 A few weeks later, on March 30, 2020, two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle assassinated Maria Elena Ferral Hernandez, a journalist in the city of Papantla, Veracruz, “not only the deadliest state for reporters in Mexico, but the single most violent territory for the press in the entire Western Hemisphere,” according to Jan-Albert Hootsen, Mexico representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists. Only a few days later, on April 2, Victor Fernando Álvarez Chávez, editor of a news website in Acapulco disappeared and on April 8, Guerrero authorities found a severed head, later determined to have belonged to the missing journalist. At this writing, he is the latest Mexican journalist to be murdered in 2020.

A friend (I will call her Ana) traveled throughout the Americas during the dictatorships and civil wars of the 1970s and 1980s, protesting disappearances, death squad killings, and other abuses. In Argentina, Ana marched with families, carrying a handmade sign with the names of her friend’s six disappeared children. Now living in a barrio on the west side of Ciudad Juárez, Ana gets lists of names of women and men killed in the border city, migrants and refugees who die in the deserts and the river. She inscribes the names on murals on the adobe walls of her patio.“Each person is so important, no matter who they are, or why they were killed.” Nearly 20,000 people have been murdered in Juárez since 1993. Her lists are long: when people visit, Ana asks them to add new names to the walls. When Juárez crime reporter Armando Rodriguez was killed8 in his car while getting ready to drive his daughter to school on November 13, 2008, Ana recalled her friend, Salvadoran human rights lawyer Herbert Anaya, shot to death in October 1987 in front of his home as he prepared to drive his five children to school.9 In 2012, after several journalists were murdered in Veracruz10, Ana painted a new mural in her patio, “El Costo de Informar: La Vida de Las y Los Periodistas.” The mural now contains the names of 263 murdered Mexican journalists.

The most terrible fact about the murders of journalists in Mexico may be the sameness and predictability of this violence over time. In the past decade, at least 10 or 12 journalists have been killed every year in Mexico, depending on who counts and who is counted. If the first months of 2020 indicate anything, the toll this year will be the same or worse. Mexico is more violent now than at the height of Calderon's so-called drug war in 2011. Journalists work to expose the machinations of power in our society and when the journalist succeeds, she faces danger from those whose power is threatened. Journalists will continue to be targeted for killing when they write the truth that challenges the power of corrupt government officials and organized crime.

Cases documented in Latin American countries

From January to April, CFWIJ documented eight cases of threats against women journalists in the region. These are the number of reported cases that we were able to document, many incidents where women find themselves at risk of being persecuted go unnoticed. We recorded eight cases of threats to women journalists in the region in the first four months. From countries like Chile, Honduras, Venezuela, Peru, and Argentina, women journalists were confronted with challenging situations while they worked in the field.

Chile: Attack on El Mercurio de Antofagasta’s office

On January 13, we documented the first case where women journalists were among those attacked in a newspaper’s headquarter in Antofagasta, Chile. The attack took place in El Mercurio de Antofagasta’s office where masked men entered its building, stole its equipment, and set fire to their assets. A woman journalist Constanza Caldera, who was present in the office, shared that one could not decipher if the attack was planned or not.

Peru: Journalist Daysi Lizeth Mina Huamán goes missing

On January 26, Daysi Lizeth Mina Huamán - a Peruvian journalist working for Cable VRAEM - went missing and has not been heard or seen ever since. She was last seen on the afternoon of the said date, which was the day of Extraordinary Congressional Elections. The 21-year-old Dyasi worked as a reporter for Cable VRAEM in the central city Ayacucho. She reported on news related to the development of the Congress of the Republic’s electoral process in the complementary elections in district Santa Rosa. Local media reported that herID was found thrown in the La Mar district’s highway eight days after her family lodged a complaint about her disappearance. No traces of Daysi have been found so far, after she was last seen leaving the Santa Rosa district. Daysi was bound for Ayna district’s Carmen Pampa population centre - where she was supposed to meet her partner Noé Daniel Laura Taipe, but never made it to the venue, as told by her relatives.

Argentina: Sexist remark pointed at woman journalist’s outfit

On January 31, sports journalist Belén Mendiguren was covering a cycling race in Argentina when she was attacked with a sexist remark by a former cyclist and sports journalists Sven Spoormakers. During the Vuelta a San Juan cycling race, she was interviewing a cyclist, after which Spoormakers tweeted Belén’s picture with the caption “@wielerman cannot compete with this… Or is it cool in Argentina?” The tweet garnered the former cyclist immense criticism,after which he deleted it. Australian journalist Sophie Smith schooled Spoormakers; however, he continued with his sexist approach writing “she knows exactly what she’s wearing – or not wearing.” Sexism is rampant in the journalism industry and women journalists covering the sports beat are often at the receiving end of harassment and inappropriate remarks by men, both in and outside the industry - this incident was just one of the many examples of harassment and sexism directed at women journalists that often go unreported.

Venezuela: Journalists harassed and attacked by President Maduro’s supporters during live broadcast

On February 11, several media workers were robbed and beaten by supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Simón Bolívar International Airport, outside Caracas. The journalists were covering Juan Guaidó’s - president of the National Assembly - arrival. A woman journalist Aymara Alonso, who worked for EVTV, shared that Maduro’s supporters tried to take her microphone away in a bid to stop her from reporting. They resorted to harassing, physically attacking and insulting her, to halt the live broadcast.

Honduras: Death threats for publishing the truth

On February 19, journalists working for independent online broadcaster El Perro Amarillo were threatened by social media users. The broadcaster and its journalists were attacked online after they published leaked recordings showing officials in the national prosecutor’s office allegedly hiding evidence in organized crime cases. The officials were also allegedly involved in working with criminal groups. Milton Benítez, the director of El Perro Amarillo, and other journalists on the team have been receiving death threats and abusive slurs for their association and work for the broadcaster.

Cuba: Journalist gets threatened with draconian law

Cuban journalist and activist Iliana Hernández was briefly arrested on charges of “receiving stolen property” and threatened by Cuban authorities through the oppressive Decree Law 370 . On January 8, Agents of the National Revolutionary Police and Cuban Intelligence Directorate raided the home of CiberCuba’s contributor and reporter.

They looked for “items of doubtful origins” and confiscated all of her equipment including her computer, tripod, cell phone, a broken hard disk, USB and TV antennas, as well as took away complaint documents that Iliana filed with the prosecutor for arbitrary police practices.

She was arrested after the police search but was later released that day on 1,000 Cuban pesos bail, her equipment was not returned. Iliana was given a copy of the court order that summoned her to the police station on January 13 and informed her about the criminal charges placed on her.

She was one of the first ones to be fined with the Decree Law 370. The charges, according to the Cuban penal code, could have put Iliana behind the bar for a year. Till date, she shares her concerns about the state of journalists oppressed by Cuban authorities.

Nicaragua: Director of Nicaragua Investiga received death threats online by Ortega supporters

On March 7, Jennifer Ortiz - the director of a digital platform Nicaragua Investiga - received death threats by the supporters of the Ortega regime online, after she condemned the assault and theft reporter Hans Lawrence had to put up with.

She was blatantly threatened by the perpetrators who wrote that they will “kill” her, as seen in the messages Jennifer disclosed. Following Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s treatment of independent journalists in the country, Jennifer blamed the attack on them and stated that they “will not succeed” in intimidating and suppressing press freedom.

Haiti: Journalists attacked for reporting on Covid-19

Journalists were attacked by several unidentified men on April 2, while they were investigating violations of Covid-19 guidelines at the National Identification Office. They were covering how applicants stood in close proximity violating the restrictions to be followed to control the novel coronavirus.

A group of eight reporters were punched and hit by the attackers, who were allegedly office personnel, while some wore shirts that identified them as the Ministry of the Interior and “Public Security’s” employees.

12. Note from the director

We acknowledge that this data does not reflect the precise situation of threat as this is based on the cases that could be reported. We are cognizant of the fact that in many countries where censorship is rampant, there are even fewer chances of documenting those cases precisely because of the censorship. Since the accurate depiction of censorship can no more be guaranteed by data, we have placed this data at a lower section of this report.

Total cases

• 133

Most documented countries:

• USA (21.2%) 

• India (15.2%) 

• Pakistan (5.3%) 

• Mexico (5.3%) 

• Turkey (3.8%)

Most documented threats:

• 27.1% of women journos were attacked or impeded in the field

• Physical assault and harassment accounted for 12.4% of the cases

• Legal harassment was 10.9% of the cases

• 8.5% were subjected to verbal harassment

• 4.7% were threatened with violence

• 11.6% were harassment online