CFWIJ Annual Report 2020

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered a mentorship program 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. CFWIJ brings together journalists and organizations to share experiences necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong network where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

1. About CFWIJ

In 2017, CFWIJ launched an advocacy branch of the organisation to help make the issues and challenges that women journalists face every day more visible. 

In September 2017, the CFWIJ ran a public campaign on Twitter to raise awareness about #ThreatsToWIJ - abbreviated from Threats to Women in Journalism. This Campaign focused on speaking to women journalists about the threats they face for their professional work. Online harassment, physical assault and threats to their families are examples of the obstacles women journalists must overcome to do their job.

The year 2020 called for a revival of this campaign, its second edition featuring a special focus on Pakistan. Our campaign was triggered by the brutal murder of Baloch journalist Shaheena Shaheen and the incessant online trolling of women journalists in this country. They encounter vicious social media attacks, doxing and hacking attempts by accounts often affiliated to the ruling party and conservative, right-wing constituents. #ThreasToWıJ entered the top 50 trending topics in Pakistan on September 15, 2020. 

On September 22, 2020, The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) launched its global campaign to discuss various forms of threats and attacks against women journalists. The campaign, designed as an interactive chat on Twitter, used the #ThreatsToWIJ hashtag to bring together women journalists, activists and right advocates. This platform facilitated journalists to share their testimonies and propose remedies to the dire environment in which women journalists perform their jobs. 

In 2020, CFWIJ started publishing monthly reports that include various cases of threats against women journalists. These reports highlight the different types of cases we identified, from arrests and detentions to physical assaults and online harassment. The reports show what press freedom looks like for female reporters worldwide. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism also focuses on specific countries and individual women journalists. We highlight major events, such as Covid-19, US protests and election, Beirut blast, Belarus protests, which are important in terms of press freedom in the in-focus section. CFWIJ also lists the names of women journalists covering these major events. We listed women journalists reporting in the MENA region, covering Covid-19 on the frontlines, covering BLM protests, farmer protests in India and black women journalists to follow. 

2. Objective of The Report

This report presents a review of the threats women journalists have faced in 2020. From January to December, The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) monitored several cases of violence and threats against women journalists. From kidnapping to murder, harassment to attacks on the ground, women journalists have been subjected to violence both online and offline. Attempts to silence their journalistic work were observed through state persecution and the weaponization of law, among other tactics. The report reflects the deteriorating working conditions in which women journalists continue to do their jobs, remaining vulnerable to attacks. CFWIJ has prepared this report using first-hand information, public-access news and updates from different regions across the world. Cases that have not been publicly reported have been excluded from this document to maintain the individual’s privacy.

3. CFWIJ Data

CFWIJ Annual Report
Infogram

4. Overview: Most prevalent challenges to women journalists and press freedom in 2020

2020 has been a truly tumultuous year. Political turbulences, economic crises, civil riots, and violence, all arised amidst the massive health crisis. Throughout these last 12 months, countless journalists repeatedly flagged an alarming surge in violence and visible deterioration in press freedom. The growing hostile environment was predominantly fueled by the global pandemic crisis, which has diametrically reshaped the media landscape and forced journalists to adapt to new, distressing working conditions. It was also a year when massive social unrest emerged in various parts of the world; radical groups continued to spread fake news to harm journalists’ credibility while populists’ politicians developed a confrontational approach towards critical media coverage. 

Photo Credit: Hassan Chamoun

Women journalists have continued to report from the frontlines around the globe, at great risk given the current circumstances. While every reporter understands that chasing a certain story could put them in danger, women reporters sit at the epicenter of risk. The general work-related dangers are accompanied by overwhelming challenges and pressures strictly related to their gender. The problems range from online harassment, physical abuse, prejudicial patriarchal attitudes to sexual violence. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has consistently reiterated the real cost of reporting as a female journalist. Every day we document various cases of unjustified, and unacceptable behavior towards women working in the media industry, often a consequence of a woman’s weaker societal standing in general. This year, we have noticed a rise in online trolling on an unprecedented scale, hostile brutal pacification of protests and widespread disinformation. These threats are exacerbated by growing state pressure, often linked to attempts made by politicians to antagonize the press. We witnessed murders, arrests and impediments at work.

In 2020, The Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented over 716 threats against women journalists worldwide in comparison to 291 cases identified in 2019. There were 138 physical attacks and impediments in the field, 44 sexist attacks, 37 physical assaults, 24 threats of violence/intimidation and three murders. These threats are not limited to physical violence, several journalists face forms of harassment: 79 online troll campaigns, 24 incidents of sexual harassment, 23 incidents of workplace harassment and 18 incidents of verbal harassment. Women journalists are also targeted by the authorities with 100 detentions, 97 cases of legal harassment, 52 arrests, 44 cases of state oppression, four accounts of torture while imprisoned and two journalists expelled. Discrimination is not uncommon either, with eight reports of gender discrimination and ten reports of racial discrimination. Four journalists had their accreditation revoked, two have been abducted this year, while two journalists are still missing.

Below you can become acquainted with an outline of the major threats to women journalists and the events that shaped the environment for press freedom in 2020.

Covid-19

The ongoing, prolonged pandemic is accelerating a global decline in press freedom, strongly impacting journalists’ work. Many media outlets, especially smaller, local ones, have been struggling to keep their financial liquidity, which leads to economic instability for many female reporters. Several of them were laid off or their salaries were visibly decreased. Those who are freelancing, deprived from the safety net ensured by newsrooms, often completely lose their source of income. Apart from economic vulnerability, journalists are also at greater risk to contract COVID-19 given the nature of their profession and the required interaction. The situation of uncertainty also affects their mental health. We have gathered and analyzed the different elements of this complex equation in a special report.  

Additionally, the pandemic, and the way many governments handle it, harm the reporting process itself. We know of certain events, particularly in the United States, where women journalists were denied access to online meetings and press conferences under the guise of ‘technical difficulties’, impeding their crucial right to information. There is another growing problem with censorship. Several countries are instituting a crackdown on news relating to Covid-19. Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan has been detained since May for reporting on the Coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan. She is now facing up to five years in jail after being formally indicted on charges of spreading false information. Such an accusation has been used against several journalists and activists who reported on the Covid-19 outbreak in China via social media. However, China is not an isolated example. In Serbia, Ana Lalic was briefly arrested for her report on a lack of medical supplies and equipment. In Malaysia, Noor Hayati Wan Alias was charged with “causing public fear or alarm” for her Covid-19 posts. Ebru Küçükaydın was detained after the Turkish police raided her home over her coverage of the pandemic, her piece was deleted soon after. Egypt expelled Ruth Michaelson, a correspondent with The Guardian, due to her reporting on the subject.

The year of social unrest

Despite being in a worldwide pandemic, hundreds of thousands of people across the world, from the United States, through Belarus to Hong Kong, have taken to the streets in protests against government policies and civilian deaths due to either state brutality or its indolence. These protests have been covered around the clock by the media. While police brutality against protesters gathered global attention, journalists working on the ground to document these unprecedented historic moments also found themselves among those injured, attacked and detained. Their press credentials and rights to report were not respected by the authorities. We have numerous examples of physical injuries and other incidents of harsh impediments to journalists at work. 

2020 created a new momentum for Black Lives Matter Protests in the USA. After the horrifying killing of George Floyd, people gathered across the country to oppose racial injustice. Journalists covering this massive social movement have found themselves in the eye of the storm. It is undoubtedly a turbulent time  for press freedom in the U.S., as journalists across the country have been facing continuous attacks on an unprecedented scale. They have been shot with rubber bullets, pushed away and shoved to the ground, detained, arrested and had their equipment seized or even destroyed. We described, in detail, the concrete examples in a separate section focused on the United States.  These harrowing incidents happen despite journalists showing their press credentials and reciting their right to report. The violence stems predominantly from law enforcement, however, some journalists have also endured attacks from protesters and other members of the public. 

Photo Credit: AP

Another country which experiences prolonged political and social turmoil is Belarus. Since August, Belarus has been gripped by mass demonstrations, triggered by the controversial presidential election which allegedly confirmed Alexander Lukashenko’s victory and consistent popularity in the country. The fact that it caused a big social objection and the elections are widely believed to be rigged only shows something completely reverse. Given the authoritarian regime and its censorship, it is vital for the people of Belarus to have access to impartial, independent information about events in their country. This is Lukashenko’s biggest fear, as he continues his attempts to stifle press freedom and identify unbiased media as his enemies. Authorities in Belarus have withdrawn the accreditation of several journalists, reporters have been detained nearly every day without any legitimate reason. Upon their release, the journalists share their horrifying testimonies of torture and abuse experienced behind bars. Foreign correspondents are getting expelled from the country, their accreditations are revoked, but those who face the most severe consequences for their coverage are the local journalists. Journalists are bothered at their homes by law enforcement officers, their apartments searched, and they receive ‘suggestions’ to drop certain topics.

Since June 2019, Hong Kong has witnessed months of consistent social unrest with no sign of stopping. Protests began in June when millions took the streets to oppose a controversial bill allowing extradition from Hong Kong to China. As the protests continue, there is a surge in violence on the streets. Police pacify participants with tear gas, there are examples of detentions and physical assaults. Journalists are not immune to the attacks. Chermaine Lee, who covered the annual July 1 March for CNN, was among those hit with pepper spray, deployed by the police. Apart from the danger associated with reporting on the ground, journalists are intimidated and threatened with legal harassment. Investigative journalist Bao Choy wrote a report about police and the authorities' delayed response to a mob attack against anti-government protesters on July 21. She examined footage from the event, identifying several vehicles parked close to the suspected gang members. Using a registration database, she and her colleagues obtained information about the vehicles’ owners and contacted them for their comments on the matter. Bao Choy was arrested briefly for investigating police misconduct. She now stands trial over charges of making false statements when seeking access to data.

Online Harassment

While the type of threat varies depending on the region and specific conditions of each country, online trolling has emerged as a major problem for women journalists. With more people staying online longer due to COVID-19 restrictions, online trolling intensified in 2020.For the overwhelming majority of women journalists, it has become a hazard inseparable from the job. Numerous studies show that women reporters are more vulnerable to online harassment compared to their male counterparts. They regularly encounter vicious messages about their appearance and sexuality. They receive death and rape threats, and in some extreme cases, their addresses and personal phone numbers are published online—a practice known as doxing. While many seem to disregard the problem, CFWIJ has been carefully monitoring the complexity of online abuse for the past three years. CFWIJ gathers data, coordinates support networks for journalists, issues daily statements and organizes events that aim to shed a broader light on this challenge. 

CFWIJ regularly calls on authorities for action, emphasizing their role in tackling this ongoing problem. In 2020, The Coalition For Women In Journalism documented 25 major organized trolling campaigns targeting women journalists – a visible growth compared to 17 cases in the respective period last year. Although statistics can include consistent online trolling activities, we must bear in mind that the numbers are much higher if we consider the vicious hate speech spread every day. 

The situation is extremely worrying in Pakistan. There are examples of organized troll campaigns that viciously target women journalists, often affiliated with the ruling party. They consist of despicable slurs, rape and death threats while encouraging others to join. These tactics aim to intimidate all government critics, further fueled by misogyny.

Despite numerous calls urging for the government’s action, very little has been done. Journalists issued statements and launched campaigns such as  “Attacks Won’t Silence Us”, supported by CFWIJ, with little to no response. Online threats have their offline, dire consequences. Trolls regularly spread hatred, sexist slurs and rape jokes against noteworthy women journalists like Marvi Sirmed, Gharidah Farooqi, Tanzeela Mazhar and Asma Shirazi—to mention a few.

In particular, CFWIJ has continued to support Sirmed through the various types of threats and violence for decades. Her house was ravaged multiple times, and she has been slut-shamed and labelled with sexist and racist expletives.

Online trolling is on the rise across the world. In Ecuador, Dayanna Monroy, a reporter with the National TV, was targeted with an online smear campaign by former president Abdalá Bucaram. The campaign followed Monroy’s reportage that revealed a network of corruption in public hospitals throughout the country. Patricia Devlin, an award-winning crime reporter from Northern Ireland, continues to face death and rape threats. Those despicable messages also suggest an attack on her son. The problem emerged last October only continues to escalate. The gravity of the issue and our dedication to analyze this phenomenon spurred a series of awareness campaigns called #ThreatsToWIJ. One focused on Pakistan, the second we were joined by journalists around the world who shared their experience with online abuse, assessing the main trends in their regions.

Political Pressure

When journalists are unable to report without the fear of imprisonment, threats and violence, there is no real democracy. However, more and more high-ranking politicians abuse their power to stop critical coverage from being published. In fact, they claim that this is a way to protect democratic standards and national interest. Below are a few examples.

Maria Ressa, one of the Philippines’ most prominent journalists, faces up to six years in prison after being found guilty of “cyber libel”.  The charges are in retaliation to a story that exposed the alleged links between a businessman and a leading judge. Media outlet Rappler has scrutinized the administration of Filipino president, Rodrigo Duterte, exposing bot armies, corruption and documenting his brutal anti-drugs campaign, encouraging extrajudicial killings. In turn, the president has dismissed Rappler for spreading “fake news”, his administration has built several cases against it. Such a verdict sets a dangerous precedent that seriously threatens press freedom in the Philippines.

Intensified efforts made by state officials to intimidate journalists are commonplace in the MENA region. There is a high safety risk for the region’s journalists if they fail to either repeat the state’s propaganda or remain silent. Egyptian journalist Doaa Khalifa has been intimidated by high-ranking representatives of the state for her dissident views. Many state-controlled media outlets and writers attacked Doaa upon instructions from the presidential aide, Colonel Ahmed Shaaban. In East Jerusalem, journalist Christine Renawy from Palestine Television was detained and interrogated by Israeli authorities.  She was allegedly in breach of the Interior Security minister’s memo prohibiting her from working in the occupied territories. Journalist and human rights defender Nazha ElKhalidi was put under house arrest for her coverage of human rights violations by Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara.  Another unsettling example comes from Syria, where journalist Nour Al- Shalo was arrested over allegations of collaborating with international organizations. After her trial, she was hastily moved to an undisclosed location.

Photo Credit: SEM Mexico

In Latin America, cases of assaulted or assassinated journalists are rarely brought to justice. Numerous states have repeatedly shown their indifference when it comes to improving the safety of journalists. Corruption, close links to influential businessmen and gang activity feed the problem and impede progress. Certain states cannot tackle the issue, while others choose not to. The level of violence and impunity against Mexican journalists embodies a larger crisis that poses a direct threat to Mexico’s democracy. As killing and physical abuse continue, the Mexican government –despite numerous promises– will not prioritize the safety of journalists. Some of the media outlets, especially in Tijuana, are owned by politicians and follow the parameters set by their owners. 

Going against this trend makes journalists vulnerable to attacks. Due to omnipresent machismo culture, being a woman adds another layer of vulnerability. While the state of security is already bleak for women in Mexico, it becomes increasingly difficult for journalists, especially those who report on politics, crime, corruption, and lawlessness. After receiving multiple threats, criminal reporter Maria Elena Ferral Hernandez, known for her coverage of corruption and police, was shot dead in broad daylight. Another aspect is the increasing police violence, which has yet to be addressed by the authorities. Journalist Lizbeth Hernández was detained and battered while following women's protests in Mexico. It is nearly impossible to call for justice when politicians regularly belittle those concerns.

5. Murder count

This year, four women journalists were killed in Mexico, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Journalists Maria Elena Ferral Hernández and Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona were both killed in Mexico. The country has witnessed several femicides, but when women journalists are killed, the motives are often linked to their work. Pakistan is another of the most dangerous countries for women journalists. Shaheena Shaheen Baloch was shot twice and killed, by whom the CFWIJ has found to be her husband. Malalai Maiwand, an anchor on Enikas Radio and TV in Afghanistan, was killed on Human Rights Day, along with her driver, Mohammad Tahir, after gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province. 

The state of press freedom in these countries is bleak, and journalists continue to work under threatening conditions. In most cases of journalist killings, their murderers remain unpunished. Women journalists are much more vulnerable to violence, as the assailants to press freedom consider them easy targets. We demand an end to this impunity, calling for the culprits to be brought to justice.

Maria Elena Ferral Hernández

Maria Elena Ferral Hernández - a Mexican journalist known for her coverage of corruption, crime and the police was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in Papantla, Veracruz on March 30. The reasons behind her murder are unclear, but reports suggested that she was targeted for her work as a journalist. Maria’s killers remain at large.

Maria, 55, had written a column titled ‘The Power Struggle’ for La Polaca Totonaca a few days before her murder. The column was about the murders of four politicians who wanted to occupy the municipal presidency of Gutiérrez Zamora. This was not the first time Maria was threatened by the political elite in Mexico. In 2016, she received threats from a local political candidate from Veracruz. Through a video released on her social media, Maria shared that Camerino Basilio Picazo Pérez - the former mayor of Coyutla - was sending her death threats. The state commission for protecting journalists provided her with security after she was harassed and threatened by other politicians. Unfortunately, the protection was later withdrawn by the government.

Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona

Teresa Aracely Alcocer Carmona, a radio host, was shot outside her home in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua on February 19. She was attacked by a group of unknown gunmen, who opened fire and fled the scene.

The 37-year-old radio host of an astrology programme, Teresa aka Bárbara Greco, worked for a local radio channel, La Poderosa. She was known for her outspoken views on violence against women and children in Mexico. Purportedly, she had been targeted for being vocal about the case of a seven-year-old girl killed in Mexico City. Teresa’s murder came as another brutal attack exemplifying the increasing rates of femicide in Ciudad Juarez.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. In 2019, Norma Sarabia, a journalist at the local newspaper Tabasco Hoy, was shot dead in the south-east city of Tabasco. Her killers fled the scene and, to this day, remain at large.

Shaheena Shaheen Baloch

The brutal murder of former PTV Bolan journalist and editor of Balochi Magazine Razgahar (Saheli), Shaheena Shaheen Baloch, prompted women journalists around the country to combat the rising violence against women journalists in Pakistan, whether tied to their profession or not.

On September 5, Shaheena was shot and killed by whom the CFWIJ has found to be her husband. The so-called honor killing marks the second murder of a Pakistani woman journalist in the last year. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demanded authorities in Pakistan —both Balochistan and the federal government— to investigate the case and punish Shaheena’s murderer.

Malalai Maiwand

Journalist and Enikas TV anchor Malalai Maiwand was killed by the Islamic State on December 10, Human Rights Day. Malalai was a radio and TV presenter for Enikas media outlet. In addition to her journalistic work, she was an activist deeply engaged in advocating for the rights of Afghan women and children.

According to Reuters, “She was on the way to office when the incident happened,” said Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Tariq Arian, an Afghan interior ministry spokesman, stated the vast majority of journalists killed in the last decade were Taliban victims. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the group’s involvement in this brutal attack. Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the murder of Malalai Maiwand.

Malalai is not the first of her family to be targeted. Five years prior to her murder, Malalai’s mother, who was also an avid activist, was shot dead by unidentified attackers.

6. Overview: Imprisonments

In 2020, at least 48 women journalists remained imprisoned in different countries around the world. Twenty of them were arrested in 2020, and six were released this year. Iran is the country with the highest most imprisoned women journalists, with nine women journalists awaiting justice behind bars. Turkey followed its lead, locking five journalists in prisons. China is another country that relentlessly persecutes women journalists, with at least five journalists imprisoned across the country. Saudi Arabia incarcerated at least five women journalists, while Egypt had four in custody. Vietnam jailed three women journalists, while Cambodia, Burundi and the Philippines have at least two women journalists behind bars. Guatemala, Laos, Palestine and Syria also have at least one journalist in prison. The country-specific breakdown below provides details about the journalists who remain imprisoned through 2020.

Iran

• Narges Mohammadi was arrested in May 2015. On May 18, 2016, the Revolutionary Court of Iran sentenced her to 16 years in prison on several counts, including membership in the (now banned) Step by Step to Stop the Death Penalty group. (RELEASED October 8, 2020)

• Avisha Jalaledin has been behind bars since February 2018. She was arrested for her peaceful participation in a Tehran protest by members of the persecuted minority. The protest soon turned violent when security forces used water cannons, firearms, and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

• Sepideh Moradi was arrested after being badly beaten during the bloody crackdown on the protest gathering of Gonabadi Dervishes in Tehran’s Golestan-e Haftom in February 2018. She was struck repeatedly by batons, seriously injured in the arm, elbow and fingers. She also suffered burns in her legs after being hit by teargas canisters used by security forces. Sepideh was released on February 9, 2020, after serving two years behind bars. 

• Hengameh Shahidi, a journalist who is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence, was arrested in December 2018. The court sentenced her to 12 years and nine months in prison, primarily for criticizing Judiciary Chief Sadegh Larijani. On March 9, her lawyer, Mostafa Turk Hamedani, tweeted that the authorities granted his client temporary release until April 5, on suspicion that she had contracted the coronavirus.

• Marzieh Amiri was arrested in May 2019. She worked as a reporter for a pro-reform newspaper Shargh. Marzieh was prosecuted for reporting about a workers' rally on International Workers' Day in Tehran. She was sentenced to ten and a half years in jail and 148 lashes by an Islamic Revolutionary Court.

• Zoreh Sarve was arrested in March 2020. She was charged for insulting the founder of the regime, propaganda against the regime and meetings and conspiracy against national security. Zoreh was sentenced to three years, along with a punishment of reading the Quran.

• Sepideh Qoliyan has been imprisoned since June 21, 2020. She reported to prison and after being issued a five-year jail sentence for covering a rally by the Haft Tappeh sugar mill workers over unpaid wages. Sepideh was arrested in November 2018 in Shush for reporting the rally. She was released on bail on February 9, 2020. However, she returned to jail after being sentenced. 

• Nada Sabouri was arrested by representatives of the Tehran prosecutor’s office in August 2020 and taken to Evin prison to serve a sentence of three and a half years in prison. Nada was charged with “assembly and collusion” for protesting the prison conditions in the Evin Prison of Tehran in 2014.

• Shabnam Ashaouri was arrested on October 4, 2020, by plain-clothes Revolutionary Guard intelligence officers after they searched her home. Since then, her family has not been given any information about the reason for her arrest or where she is being held.

• Alieh Motalebzadeh was summoned by an arrest warrant to report to Tehran’s Evin Prison over charges of propaganda against the state. She was arrested on November 24, 2016, and transferred to Evin Prison’s ward 209. On December 19, 2016, she was released temporarily on a 300-million-Toman (approx. $27,000) bail after 25 days in prison. Alieh was sentenced to three years in prison in 2016 on charges of assembly and collusion and propaganda against the state.

• Roghieh (Ashraf) Nafari returned to prison to serve a three-month sentence on a charge of anti-government propaganda for tweets rendered inaccessible after security police arrested her on March 26, 2020. 

Turkey

Turkey has the second-highest number of women journalists behind bars. For the most part,  journalists are held on charges of linking terrorist groups or spreading terrorist propaganda. Turkey uses judicial proceedings as a weapon against journalists to intimidate and silence them.

• Hatice Duman was arrested in July 2003. She was sentenced to life imprisonment for managing a terrorist organization. She appealed her case to the Court of Cassation in 2012, which was ultimately rejected. 

• Aslıhan Gençay has been incarcerated for four years on terror charges. Aslihan was set to be released early for good behaviour, though after refusing a strip search, she was denied release. As a consequence, she could face another year added to her sentence.  

• Hanım Büşra Erdal has been behind bars since July 2016. She was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for being a member of an armed terrorist organization.

• Ayşenur Parıldak was sent to prison in August 2016. She was arrested on charges of being a member of a terrorist organization, sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

• Hülya Kılınç was arrested in March 2020. She was sued for her news article about an MIT (Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization) member who died in Libya. At the second hearing held on September 9, Hülya was acquitted. However, she was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for publishing information and documents regarding the duties and activities of the National Intelligence Organization through the press and media. The court reevaluated her time spent behind bars and released Hülya. (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 9, 2020) 

• Müyesser Yıldız was detained alongside with TELE1 TV Ankara Representative, İsmail Dükel, on June 8, 2020. After her detention, she was arrested by the Ankara Counter-Terrorism Branch of the State Police Department. She was released at the first hearing of her case with an imposed travel ban. (RELEASED November 9, 2020)

• Şehriban Abi was arrested in October 2020, with Nazan Sala over their coverage of Kurdish villagers being tortured and thrown from a national army helicopter. One of the victims of the torture died from his injuries on September 30. Considering journalists’ meetings with anonymous sources as criminal acts, the prosecutor issued a confidentiality order on the investigation file. The charges were stated as ‘reporting on societal events to the detriment of the government’, and ‘being a member of a terrorist organization’.

China

• Gulmira Imin was arrested on charges of “splittism, leaking state secrets, and organizing an illegal demonstration” in July 2009. She participated in a major demonstration protesting the deaths of Uighur migrant workers in Guangdong Province on July 5. Gulmira was taken into custody on July 14, after authorities alleged she had organized the protests. The court sentenced her to life imprisonment. 

• Atikem Rozi has been in prison since February 2014. She was detained at an undisclosed location in Xinjiang on charges of participating in alleged separatist activities led by Ilham Tohti, founder of the Xinjiang news website Uighurbiz.

• Wang Shurong has been behind bars for nearly four years now. She had been volunteering for several years as a citizen journalist with the website 64 Tianwang Human Rights Center when she was detained in February 2016. 

• Chimengul Awut was arrested in July 2018. She was sent to a re-education camp for her contribution to a novel that the Chinese government denounced. 

• Zhang Zhan has been behind bars since May 2020, currently imprisoned in Shanghai. Zhang was arrested after she criticized the authorities’ measures to contain COVID-19 on her Twitter account. The journalist was formally charged with undermining the authorities. Zhang started a hunger strike to protest her mistreatment. She has lost an unsettling amount of weight, leading to her being force-fed in detention. 

Saudi Arabia

• Nouf Abdulaziz Al Jerawi was detained by Saudi authorities on June 10, 2018, for her support of Loujain Al-Hathloul, Eman Al-Nafajan, and Aziza Al-Yousef, who protested against the ban on women driving.  They were charged with being an enemy of the state.

• Nassima al-Sada has been detained since July 2018, without any charges or trial. She was placed in solitary confinement in early February 2019, at al-Mabahith Prison in Dammam.

• Maha Al-Rafidi was arrested during a crackdown against activists, journalists and writers across the kingdom on September 28, 2019. She has been kept behind bars without proper sentencing.

• Zana Al-Shahri was arrested in September 2019, when the Saudi authorities went on an arrest spree to detain dissidents, journalists and human rights defenders. There has been no update about Zana’s fate since she was taken into custody.

• Loujain Al-Hathloul was detained in May 2018 and has been kept behind bars by Saudi authorities. She was taken into custody for her activism related to women’s rights and human rights abuses in the kingdom. Louijain’s family announced that she started a hunger strike protesting her mistreatment on October 27, 2020. 

Egypt

• Esraa Abdel Fatah was arrested in October 2019. She was taken into custody during a series of arrests that targeted human rights defenders, journalists, and activists for their criticism of el-Sisi’s regime and his luxurious lifestyle.

• Solafa Magdy has been in prison since November 2019. She, along with her husband and lawyer, is facing charges of joining a terrorist group after they were detained amid a string of similar arrests. Her sentence has yet to be served.

Photo Credit: Future Fuel

• Shaima Sami, a journalist and former researcher for the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, was arrested in May 2020 at her home in Alexandria by the Egyptian security forces. Her arrest came several days after other journalists in the country were detained and arrested for reporting on Covid-19. She has since been incarcerated with no hope of freedom.

• Sanaa Seif was detained on June 23. She was protesting outside the prosecutor's office, after which she was forced into a minivan and escorted to the national security prosecution office. She was interrogated for inciting protests and spreading rumours of COVID-19-related health conditions. Sanaa Seif remains in police detention.

Vietnam

• Than Thị Nga was arrested on October 17, 2017. Before her arrest, she was monitored and beaten by Vietnamese security police, who offered her excuses as to why they harassed her. She was charged under Article 88 of the penal code for using the internet to spread some propaganda videos and writings against the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. She was released on January 10, 2020, however, Than was exiled from her home country and lost access to her social media accounts.

• Huynh Thuc Vy was sentenced in November 2018 to two years and nine months in prison on charges of defacing the country’s national flag. The court ruled she would remain under house arrest until her young children reached three years of age, after which she would be required to serve her full term in prison. 

• Pham Doan Trang, RSF’s 2019 Press Freedom Prize recipient, was arrested on October 7, 2020, during a raid on a room that she was renting. Pham was forced to rent due to constantly being chased out by police, depriving the journalist of her right to a permanent residence. 

Cambodia

• Long Kunthea and Phuon Keoreaksmey, who work for the environmental website Mother Nature Cambodia, were arrested on September 3, 2020. They face charges of incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest. Their crime was investigating the decision to fill in part of Lake Boeung Tamok.

Burundi

• Agnès Ndirubusa and Christine Kamikazi have been behind bars since December 2019. They were sentenced to two and a half years in prison and a fine of one million Burundian francs for trying to undermine state security.

Philippines

• Frenchimae Cumpio was arrested, along with four human rights activists, on February 6, 2020. She was taken into custody during simultaneous raids across the Tacloban city that targeted journalists and human rights activists. She was arrested after the military and police raided two offices of groups known for their leftist positions. The arrested individuals have been accused of illegal possession of firearms. She is still in pretrial detention. 

• Lady Ann Salem was arrested during police operations in Manila on December 10, the International Human Rights Day. The journalist’s house was raided by the police in Mandaluyong City, leading to her arrest. The journalist was charged with the alleged possession of illegal firearms and explosives.

Palestine

• Bushra Al-Tawil was arrested by Israeli authorities while passing through a bridge checkpoint. Without legal grounds, the journalist was apprehended and moved to an undisclosed location. This was the fifth time Bushra was arbitrarily detained. The journalist remains behind bars.

Syria

• Tal al-Mallouhi has been in prison since December 2009. On February 14, 2011, the State Security Court in Damascus convicted Al-Mallouhi of divulging information to a foreign state. 

Photo Credit: Hannibal Carthage

Laos

• Houayheuang Xayabouly was arrested in September 2019. She posted a video on Facebook that drew attention to the government’s negligence towards the devastating floods in Champasak and Salavan. Houayheuang has been jailed on charges of spreading propaganda against the Laos People's Democratic Republic, and trying to overthrow the party, state and government. She was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a fine of 20 million kips

Guatemala

• Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz was arrested on September 22 on charges of sedition, aggravated attack, arson, and aggravated robbery following her broadcast from Joyabaj central square.  The journalist was punished for informing the public about the protests against corruption. Anastasia broadcasted the protests live from the central square of Joyabaj. The protests were organized by local small business owners and residents who questioned the use of public resources. Police violence and the arrogant behavior of Mayor Florencio Carrascosa Gámez stirred agitation among the protesters, leading to destruction, vandalism and arson of public property. During the ensuing uprising, the mayor and his bodyguards fled through the back door. Anastasia was supposed to stand trial on October 8, but the trial was instead postponed to October 28 for further investigation of the evidence. There have been no updates from the investigation while Anastasia remains behind bars.

7. Regional review

Women journalists around the world struggle to continue reporting while being regularly intimidated, belittled and underestimated, often due to their gender. While online trolling is one of the major threats that pose risks regardless of the region, female reporters face the specific challenges associated with the environment of each continent. In Latin America, reporters are regularly kidnapped or even killed. In the Middle East, they are exposed to overwhelming state pressure and even face imprisonment for their work. Female reporters in North America struggle with widespread police brutality and lack of diversity in newsrooms. Whereas in Europe, journalists need to tackle the rise of far-right trolls and compensate for their limited access to information. In Africa, women reporters operate in a hostile environment consisting of censorship, political influence, physical attacks and gender-based violence. In this section, we break down the leading threats that occur in the respective parts of the world.

7.1 Mena

Journalists working throughout MENA experience the highest degree of censorship and government interference for their coverage. With several countries under autocratic rule, MENA also has the highest number of imprisoned journalists. Members of the press are the primary targets for attacks in the region, and 2020 has proven no different. Given the uncertainty of the political atmosphere, journalists have faced numerous challenges when covering contentious topics. The many journalists behind bars were arbitrarily persecuted just because of the stories they covered. Most of them are still being tried by the courts on terrorism charges.

Photo Credit: Raheb Homavandi / Reuters

Since March, the Coronavirus outbreak has deeply affected journalists across MENA. News about COVID-19 and the transparency of pertinent data, such as infection rates and deaths, has been repeatedly restricted. Many female journalists were arrested and detained for their coverage, in addition to facing the ever-present risk of contracting the virus. Iran has been particularly rigid with its censorship of news coverage relating to the pandemic and the country’s response. 

In 2020, CFWIJ documented 54 cases of legal harassment against women journalists. Comparing that figure to last year, it increased by nearly eight times. The majority of legal harassment cases have been closely monitored in Turkey. At least 32 women journalists were attacked in the field, and 28 were detained. 19 of them were arrested, and 17 journalists were targeted by online harassment, and at least ten female reporters faced sexual harassment. We documented five women journalists who were threatened, whereas four experienced harassment in workplaces. We also documented state oppression, physical assaults, verbal harassment and gender discrimination throughout 2020.

Iran

The Iranian regime is notorious for persecuting journalists, especially women journalists, and imprisoning them for doing their work. The imprisoned women journalists ranked the top in the country across the world. In 2020, Iran sent six women journalists behind bars. 

Photographer Alieh Motalebzadeh and citizen journalist Roghieh (Ashraf) Nafari were arrested over charges of “propaganda against the state”. Alieh, who is also a human right activist, was sentenced three years in prison. She was arrested on November 24, 2016 and was transferred to Evin Prison’s ward 209. On December 19, 2016, she was temporarily released on a 300-million-Toman (approx. 27 thousand dollars) bail after 25 days in prison. After receiving a text message from Evin Prison stating that she should show up and start serving her time, she is now remaining behind bars for the charges of “assembly and collision” and “propaganda against the state”.

Roghieh (Ashraf) Nafari was returned to prison to serve a three-month sentence on a charge of “anti-government propaganda” for tweets that were rendered inaccessible after security police arrested her on March 26, 2020. Her serving time started on October 11, 2020. 

Nada Sabouri was another journalist who was taken to prison this year. A former journalist and civil society activist was arrested on 7 August and taken to Evin prison to serve a sentence of three and a half years in prison. Nada was charged with “assembly and collusion” for protesting the prison conditions in 2014. Her serving time started in August 2020. 

The editor of Aghahinameh, Shabnam Ashaouri, was arrested on October 4 by Revolutionary Guard intelligence officers after searching her home. Same day six other human rights defenders were arrested with Shabnam whereas no reason has been given about the arrestment.  

In addition to the imprisonments across the country, the Iranian government resorted to conceal facts regarding casualties as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic has caused Iran to become one of the hardest-hit countries in the world, after the outbreak began on February 19. Even though the country has released 54,000 prisoners to control the outbreak in jails, its approach to obstruct information via the press remained. 

The Iranian regime allegedly covered up the damage caused due to COVID-19 ever since it has surfaced in the country. Censorship of news reports and the number of cases related to coronavirus have had an impact on the media’s reporting. The restrictions on press freedom have also resulted in a lack of public trust towards the government. Neither Iranians accept the information conveyed by the regime, nor do they abide by the recommendations of the health department. The absence of reliable facts has aggravated this current health crisis in Iran.

Iran authorities shut down the Jahane Sanat newspaper because of the publication that was remarked by an expert who criticized the handling of coronavirus cases in the country. The arbitrary decision of shutting down the newspaper, Jahane Sanat quoted the well-known epidemiologist Reza Mahboobfar saying the true number of cases and deaths that the authorities reveal do not reflect the reality. 

Turkey

Turkey maintains its place in the bottom row of press freedom throughout the world. This situation is worsening steadily. It has become the second country in the world to keep journalists in prison. This year alone, four women journalists were sent to prison, two of them were released. Journalists imprisoned have been exposed to inhuman treatment. Many women journalists are being prosecuted for their news or their social media posts, most of them facing terrorism charges.

In 2020, many women journalists were attacked in the field mostly from security forces. Most of them were arbitrarily detained for long periods, either while following the news or because of a story published. Many journalists have been either banned from going abroad or sentenced unfairly to judicial fines that they cannot pay.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is yet another country at the bottom of press freedom. Many journalists were targeted with online smear campaigns by the Saudi government and its linked supporters. Authorities are hosting these hostility groups while they target and imprison women human rights defenders and political dissidents. Trolling is becoming the main method to silence and target women journalists in the cyber world. It varies in its strategy between physical threats, misogynist comments, insults, defamation, belittling, and many other forms.

Photo Credits: Nina Manandhar

Al Jazeera presenter Ola Al-Fares was trolled online by Saudi accounts and caricaturist Fahd Aljubairi for her dissident views. Saudi users on Twitter attacked her conduct, coverage, while discrediting and undermining her career accomplishments. These attacks included a misogynistic cartoon of the presenter by caricaturist Fahd Aljubairi. 

Another vicious attack targeted journalist Ghada Oueiss on October 7, 2020. The journalist was targeted with an online smear campaign by Saudi government linked accounts over her views. Mohamed Al-Ahmed, a Saudi media professor at King Saud University, published a video of Ghada Oueiss personal pictures with the title “Ghada’s Scandals”. The video included personal photos and videos of the journalist. These personal pictures were obtained after hacking Ghada’s cellphone. 

Lebanese journalist Zahra Hankir was another victim, who was viciously attacked on Twitter with trolling and defamed cartoons, following her dismissal of the Saudi invitation to host the women20 engagement group. Saudi accounts trolled her over this tweet; name-calling her, attacking her comment on Saudi Arabia. The trolls had infuriating and misogynist tweets. Many mentions used pictures of garbage in Lebanon and Beirut Blast to make fun of her or belittle her position.

The country also follows Iran and Turkey with the number of imprisoned journalists. Journalist and human right defender Loujain Al-hathloul remains behind bars for more than two years. She has been imprisoned since May 2018. Since June 6, Loujain has not contacted her family or sent them letters. Her family launched a social media campaign inquiring about her condition, calling upon the regime to either allow them to contact and visit her or to issue a statement clarifying her health condition. Over her treatment in prison, Loujain announced a hunger strike on October 27, protesting the punitive actions against her in prison and her deprivation of basic human rights. Eventually, Loujain’s family was informed on November 24, 2020, that Loujain would stand trial on November 25, 2020. The short notice left her lawyers nearly no time to prepare their defense nor consult with Loujain. The human right defender is accused of receiving foreign funding to impose foreign agendas, attending international conferences and events, and other unfounded claims. Now she faces the maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years according to the state prosecutor’s decision.

7.2 South Asia

South Asia is notorious for precarious press freedom for its treatment of journalists. State oppression is the biggest obstacle in the region between censorship crackdowns, arbitrary prosecution and online attacks. Journalists continue to do their job amid this deteriorating climate. 

As a region, South Asia has some of the most dangerous countries for journalists. As a result of this hostile environment, two women journalists were brutally murdered in Afghanistan and Pakistan this year. In this region, several women journalists were targeted by harmful online smear campaigns, including death threats supported by the state and its supporters. Many female reporters were attacked in the field while working, most of them facing legal harassment as well.  

CFWIJ monitored and documented attacks mostly from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Apart from the killing of journalists, many women were subjected to physical assault, threats and intimidation on the ground. 

The Coronavirus outbreak affected journalists across the region. In India and Pakistan, the pandemic plunged the industry into additional stress, leading to job insecurity and financial instability for women journalists working in the two countries. In India, several women journalists were laid off or had taken pay cuts. The pressure from the fallout left journalists desperate, working for minimal wages hoping to salvage what is left of their jobs. 

In 2020, CFWIJ documented 89 attacks against women journalists. Among those, two women journalists were brutally murdered. The majority of cases reported online harassment that we have been closely monitoring in Pakistan. At least 15 women journalists faced legal harassment, and ten were impeded in the field. Seven were physically assaulted, and six journalists fell victim to state oppression. Five female reporters were arrested, and five of them were threatened and intimidated. We documented five women journalists who experienced harassment in the workplace. We also documented four incidents of sexual harassment, two sexist attacks and one case of gender discrimination.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, given its unstable and violent landscape, is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Women journalists, in particular, face perpetual risk and persecution. Press freedom in Afghanistan is fragile, with interference from feuding political parties. As the situation continues to deteriorate, journalists are often at risk of being robbed and killed. Many journalists are targeted with death threats yet continue to work in inhospitable conditions. In 2020, countless women journalists were threatened and intimidated, many of whom were even physically assaulted. 

Malalai Maiwand, an anchor on Enikas Radio and TV in Afghanistan, was killed on Human Rights Day, December 10. The journalist was murdered along with her driver, Mohammad Tahir, when the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province. After speculation of who was responsible, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the killing of Malalai.Photojournalist Tahereh Rezae is another example of the vicious attacks targeting journalists throughout the country. On October 15, 2020, the Afghan police force raided the photojournalist’s home. Tahereh and her guests were horrified by the intensity and brutality of the raid. Despite repeatedly asking for a search warrant and reason for the raid, the security forces offered no response. Police confiscated their mobile phones and cut off wi-fi in the house to prevent them from calling anyone for help. When one of the guests protested the illegal raid, they beat her. The police ravaged the house and filmed the female guests without legal grounds. The search lasted for several hours, during which Tahereh and her guests feared the threat of shooting and violence. Before ending the search and letting the guests go, the police forced the photojournalist to sign a statement swearing she will never again hold an event where music is played. The police demanded the guests to sign a similar statement that they will not attend such events in the future.

7.3 North America

Canada and the United States, countries perceived for many years as a haven for press freedom, have failed to ensure the safety of journalists in 2020. During the ongoing pandemic, the authorities struggle to allow the press proper access to information. As a result, journalists’ coverage is compromised, and the population is inadequately informed. As many briefings take place online, tactics like so-called technical issues and registration requirements restrict journalists from participating. 

Although Canada regularly demonstrates its dedication to protecting press freedom, experts say there are still some challenges to be addressed, including legal battles over sources and limited access to information. Canada also struggles with ensuring diversity in newsrooms as indigenous people are underrepresented and face more challenges when pursuing a career in journalism. Moreover, activists and organizations point out that the colonial narrative and white perspective still dominate certain coverage. 

In comparison, the United States has witnessed a social awakening, resulting in massive, consistent protests throughout the country in 2020. The tension between citizens demanding reform, and the police's disproportionate aggression makes these events extremely difficult and dangerous to cover. Journalists reporting on the ground are often impeded and unable to carry out their coverage while exposed to police brutality.

Women journalists in the region still face structural obstacles and discriminatory practices that exclude many from public debate. Many of these challenges are manifestations of gender-based discrimination, in addition to factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women journalists in Canada and the U.S. are no strangers to sexist and misogynist comments, sexual violence and gender trolling. Women journalists who report on the ground, especially while doing live broadcasts, experience sexual harassment and assault. The offenders see no issue, often trying to kiss or grope the journalist on camera. The lack of public outcry exemplifies society’s acceptance of such deplorable behaviours. Several women journalists have raised concerns over workplace inequality, the gender pay gap and the lingering glass ceiling.  The risks women journalists face are often ignored and even belittled, continuing to go unchecked. 

In 2020, CFWIJ documented 115 various attacks against journalists in Canada and the U.S. combined, in comparison to 23 in 2019. However, the overwhelming majority of attacks took place in the U.S. (101). At least 36 journalists were impeded at work, 16 were arrested, whereas 11 female reporters experienced online harassment and nine faced racial discrimination. Additionally, we documented at least six physical assaults, eight verbal harassments and five detentions. Other types of threats that emerged this year include sexual harassment, sexist attacks, legal and workplace harassment, gender discrimination and state oppression. 

United States

The ongoing political upheaval that we have been observing in the USA is caused by, among others, the global pandemic, social unrest linked to a re-emerged public debate on racial injustice and widespread disinformation which gradually erodes the credibility of the press and undermines the work of journalists. Growing distrust towards the media was for years fueled by antagonistic rhetoric applied by Donald Trump’s administration. Confrontational tweets and accusing certain media of being biased and spreading fake news was a vital part of communication from the very beginning of his term. This rhetoric amplified in critical moments. As initially Trump’s administration tried to downplay the pandemic danger, the president notoriously accused media outlets of spreading lies and causing an unnecessary panic. Alongside, he discredited reports, called for the boycott of some news organizations and denigrated journalists. The reality of intensified attacks on reporters jeopardizes their efforts to inform the public and puts a special target on women journalists who are twice as much exposed to various types of threats as they are related not only to their job but also gender. Trump has notoriously taken a swipe on female reporters himself. He has no problem in patronizing female reporters claiming that they shout too much and should better relax and be nice. Demeaning comments and behavior are even more striking towards female journalists of color as they are still massively underrepresented in the media landscape and treated more like intruders in the newsrooms than equal partners.

Being undermined, threatened with arrests and impeded at work since the last half of 2020 following the protests that sparked in Minnesota after the killing of George Floyd have been the most burning issues women journalists face in the USA this year. The detailed analysis of these challenges features the further part of this report, which can be found under the USA section in “Countries review”. 

Canada

Canada ranks as one of the highest in the world when it comes to press freedom, However, indigenous and other journalists of color keep telling their stories of isolation or oppression, whether working in newsrooms or as recipients of news seeing how they are portrayed in stories. The risks of being underrepresented and discriminated against are even greater for indigenous women journalists.  

Indigenous women in the media industry face a double burden of discrimination plus the trauma of the stories they cover. They are mocked for their accent, cat-called, impeded on the ground, underestimated in terms of skills. Their voices haven’t been heard throughout the troubled Canadian history, thus now some people still struggle to see them as an equal, valuable part of the society. Indigenious women journalists often take upon the difficult topics, crucial from the perspective of marginalised communities, hence their investigations can bring controversy and put them in the spotlight. Intersectional discrimination against indigenous women and their determined defense of the rights of indigenous peoples and the rights of women in their territories may surely increase the risk of experiencing violence. The combination of these factors often exposes indigenous women journalists to a greater risk of stigmatization and persecution in certain contexts, whether by State or non state actors. Indigenous journalist Starla Myers was among three journalists arrested by Ontario Provincial Police over their coverage of protests of land defenders in the 1492 Land Back Lane action reclaiming land along the Haldimand Tract. Before the arrest she gave an interview in which she expressed the need for Indigenous voices in journalism: “What’s happening to us, not just myself but other Indigenous journalists is that we’re effectively being silenced. The quiet Indian, dead Indian are the only kind of Indian they want in Canada''.

7.4 Latin America

Journalists in Latin America are forced to work in an increasingly hostile environment. The Coronavirus pandemic added another layer of instability to a region already shaken by political unrest, civil protests, economic instability and social inequalities. Thus, the harassment has escalated dramatically. Journalists are experiencing unprecedented threats to their safety both offline and online. Media freedom is stifled across the region as death threats and impunity lead to journalists’ self-censorship.

Latin America is undoubtedly the deadliest continent for reporters. The UNESCO Observatory documented 318 journalists killed in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1995 — a period consisting of a decades-long civil war in Colombia, political unrest in Venezuela and Nicaragua, and a violent drug war in Mexico. These numbers may be the tip of the iceberg as it can be difficult to verify information on murdered media workers as so few crimes are adequately investigated. In 2020 alone, at least 15 journalists were killed in the Latin America and Caribbean region, whereas this number in the previous year was 22. This year we documented two murders of women journalists in comparison to one murder in 2019. 

Overall, while monitoring the Latin American region, CFWIJ found 27 women journalists vulnerable to different threats in 2020, compared to 25 in 2019. Ten cases in Mexico, and five identified in Nicaragua. We documented six examples of legal harassment (three in Nicaragua, the rest in Cuba, Peru and Mexico), five physical assaults (two cases in Mexico, one case each in Chile, Nicaragua and Brazil), three attacks in the field (two in Mexico, one in Brazil). Four journalists from Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico were threatened with violence, two reporters from Guatemala and Cuba were arrested, one Mexican journalist was detained, and one reporter went missing in Peru. 

Apart from overwhelming fear for their lives, journalists combat censorship, state repressions and persecutions, which follow the majority of socially engaged reporting. Moreover, the politicians continue to discredit journalists by accusing them of disseminating fake news. They are often linked to powerful, not entirely legal, businesses, and to keep their interests safe, prevent anyone from seeking the truth. In addition to open attacks on the press by individuals, the authorities successfully extend their control on the national media, influencing the news circulating in the public sphere. Due to the deeply rooted machismo in social structures, women journalists are even more exposed to threats and gender-based violence while reporting. They also experience another aspect of patriarchal oppression - being completely ignored, underestimated and undervalued. 

Mexico

Mexico is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist in the world. The country recorded the highest number of victims in the entire world—with 10 journalists and media professionals killed in 2019. Press freedom is a luxury for journalists in Mexico. At least ten people working in the country’s press and media industry have been killed this year, including two female professionals. Known for her coverage on corruption and police, criminal reporter Maria Elena Ferral Hernandez was shot dead in broad daylight after receiving repeated threats. Journalist Theresa Aracely Alcocer was shot by a group of unknown gunmen, while she stood with her father outside her home in Ciudad Juarez,notoriously known for femicides. Her killers fled the scene and remain at large. It is not an exception. Most of the crimes remain unsolved and the killers go free. Those numbers do not include journalists who are reported missing. Journalists are targeted by the groups belonging to organised crime and sectors of power in connivance with them. Bearing in mind the fact that at least 10 women are killed in Mexico daily and the problem with femicides is only worsening due to pandemic, simply reporting while female adds another layer of vulnerability. Especially for those journalists who write about politics, crime, corruption, and impunity in the country.

Photo Credit: CNN

Due to a surge in violence against women on an unprecedented scale, we also observe a rising women’s protest movement against gender-based violence in Mexico. The number of killed women can be counted in thousands. Apart from that every month there are around 20-30 thousand emergency calls reporting on various types of violence, including domestic violence – the long-time burning issue which is additionally fueled by the pandemic. Due to machismo and patriarchal structure impregnated in the society female reporters carry a double burden twice as big of a danger. They are exposed to violence as reporters and as women. Female journalists who cover these protests are often taken for participants and impeded at work. Especially since police brutality is on the rise. The officers respond with overbearing force, intimidate, corral and harass the protestors. The same happens to journalists. Police officers often do not distinguish between journalists and protesters and sometimes harass, intimidate, and arbitrarily detain them. That happened, inter alia, to Lizbeth Hernández who was detained and battered while covering a feminist collective’s occupation of the offices of the Estado de México State Human Rights Commission in Ecatepec, nearby México City. Despite being identified by the police as a journalist, Lizbeth was detained, her mobile phone was seized and she was prevented from reporting the demonstration. The police also pushed her while she was covering the rally. The journalist was later put in a police vehicle without being informed where she was being taken, while police insulted her and the other detainees. When a group of women arrived with a request to release the detainees, the police attacked the women with tear gas. Even once the journalist was released, the police attacks continued. Security forces attempted to strangle another female journalist as well as trying to crash into Lizbeth’s car, breaking one of the windows.

Many female journalists experience sexual harassment, both on the streets and in the newsrooms. They rarely report any of it as the impunity for such crimes is omnipresent and speaking up could bring them more trouble, especially if a perpetrator was a high-rank figure. Another troubling factor is economic instability. Women reporters can rarely afford a decent living only by doing journalistic work. They usually need to have side jobs and – as social structure requires – take care of children and household which eventually leaves them working full time all around the clock. CFWIJ spoke to Paula, prevention coordinator for Article 19 Mexico about all of these different layers which compose a hostile environment for women reporters in Mexico. The conversation is archived and can be listened to here.

Guatemala

Even though Article 35 of the Guatemalan Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, in reality many Guatemalan journalists struggle with systematic censorship, accusations of spreading fake news, direct attacks on the media and harassment which follows their reporting. Despite the hope that initially came with the newly appointed president Alejandro Giammattei, the situation hasn't improved yet. Among the pandemic, the government provides the public, including journalists with very limited information regarding the influence of the Covid-19 on Guatemala, including the number of victims. In an open letter published in April, more than 100 Guatemalan journalists and human rights organizations flagged these challenges and called upon the authorities to address them. The incumbent president cannot count on solid public support anymore. In November people took to the streets across the country demanding his resignation after he had approved a controversial budget for 2021. As of December 15, even though he eventually reiterated from this decision, the rage and disappointment among the citizens reached its peak and Giammattei’s dismissal still remains the main demand of the crowd. Protests, especially their initial part, took a violent turn, and there were examples of police brutality and violations of both: press freedom and freedom of expression. Following the examples of abuse, 133 journalists and social activists issued a letter in late November in which they called upon the government to respect press freedom. Women have been at the forefront of struggles for social justice in the country for decades, no wonder that also this time they represent one of the biggest contributions to the social movement. They are also exposed to more attacks, especially when affiliated with open feminist or LGBTQ organization.

Photo Credit: Cortesia

Indigenious journalists in particular are exposed to danger and discrimination, especially when tackling sensitve topics like land rights, environmental issues or corruption. Indigenous Guatemalan radio journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, faces a criminal trial after being held in arbitrary pre-trial detention for more than a month. She was arrested in September, for allegedly participating in a demonstration by a group of residents in the municipality of Joyabaj, Quiché, in central Guatemala. Anastasia faces charges of sedition and aggravated attack and was held at a detention center in Quetzaltenango for five weeks after her arrest. Given the grave situation with COVID-19 it, remaining in a detention certainly exposed her to even greater risk. Utterly dismayed by the high level of impunity, CFWIJ alongside with CPJ decided to launch a petition and called on Guatemalan authorities to immediately drop all criminal charges against Anastasia. We received support from numerous human rights organizations who joined our call, including IWMF, PEN International and Rory Peck Trust.

7.5 Europe

Despite being a continent with well-established press freedom – especially when compared to other regions – Europe can no longer be considered a haven for journalists. We observe the best conditions in Nordic countries such as Finland or Denmark, where attention is paid to media independence diversity in newsrooms, and supporting gender equality. However, in recent years we have observed a gradual deterioration of safety and working conditions for the media. Among the growing threats are detentions, physical assaults, imprisonments and various types of harassment, showing a growing pattern of intimidation. Apart from that, the ongoing health crisis has posed new challenges when it comes to media transparency. Some countries, such as Hungary and Russia, have used COVID-19 as a pretext to restrict the free flow of information. There are examples of journalists chased and pressured by the political powers for their coverage of the pandemic. While women journalists are often not the sole target of attacks, they fall victim to the patriarchal mindset engrained in social structures, especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.  Women journalists are exposed to threats and discriminatory practices associated with gender, such as online harassment, physical assault while broadcasting, sexist comments, gender pay-gap and impediments at work, especially while covering protests. 

In 2020, CFWIJ documented at least 160 examples of threats and attacks against women journalists in Europe in comparison to 45 cases in 2019. Most of these attacks happened in the Eastern part of the continent:  Belarus (at least 31), Ukraine (at least 11) and Russia (at least 9). The major threats included 60 detentions, 41 impediments at work, 21 incidents of online harassment, 16 examples of legal harassment and eight physical assaults.

Western Europe

Western Europe is considered a region where freedom of the press is held in high regard. Nevertheless, journalists, women, in particular, face numerous challenges, similar to those in other continents. Threats to women journalists mostly circulate around cases of online harassment and sexist comments, including approaching female reporters while they are on air. Western journalists are also exposing lower salaries and the glass ceiling as it is disproportionately harder for them to reach management positions. Additionally, in recent years —especially since 2019— we have observed a growing trend of attacks on journalists covering social demonstrations.

Spain

Journalists in Spain who cover the series of independence protests in Catalonia are forced to work in exceptionally difficult conditions. It happens that local leaders tend to undermine the work of the reporters and claim that they are presenting protests in a biased manner and replicate harmful stereotypes. Journalist Mayka Navarro, who was covering one of pro-independence protests for Telecinco in October, was at some point surrounded by participants who were shouting, yelling at her and hitting with a flag pole. As Mayka Navarro spoke live from outside the Estación de Francia where the demonstrators were, more than a dozen people gathered around her shouting insults and making rude hand gestures. Others shouted for her to “get out of here” and tried to repeatedly block the view of the camera. Of course one cannot limit the source of danger only to pro-independence marches in Catalonia as the tense atmosphere accompanies the protests across the whole country. Women journalists are impeded at work while broadcasting in various manners. While Raquel Guillán, a journalist of RTVC was reporting live in the Canary Islands an unknown man approached her and kissed her on the cheek. Raquel reported this assault at the police station. Acts of violence come not only from the civilians. In October 2019 some journalists covering protests in Barcelona were attacked and harassed by the police as well. Spanish journalists also raise the issue of limited access to public officials and information amidst the pandemic. Several major news outlets issued a statement in which they denounce “forms of censorship” referring to problems with receiving answers to the questions posed to the prime minister.

France

After a break caused by the coronavirus lockdown, the Yellow Vests came back to the streets for a series of protests in September which posed challenges well known from the peak of their activity in 2019. That means challenges in relation to keeping the social order and alleviating acts of violence, including attacks on journalists. Throughout the whole course of these manifestations since the very beginning journalists were exposed to worryingly increased scale of harassment and physical assaults both from the protestors and the police. They were repeatedly obstructed, attacked with a tear gas prevented from filming, their equipment was seized. One of them, Nadège Picard, a journalist for Info line agency, was injured by police fire in Toulouse. During demonstrations that took place in September at the beginning of autumn, several journalists were impeded at work, including arrests and destroying the equipment, also conducted by the law enforcement representatives. 

Police violence emerged to be a burning issue, widely discussed in France in the last year. Hence, the more controversial appears to be a new bill proposed by the French authorities that would ban dissemination of images of police officers for “malicious purposes”. This proposal seems to be now the biggest concern for civil society groups and media outlets in France. Critics say it will prevent journalists, citizens and NGOs from reporting on police wrongdoing. Idea of Macron’s government is perceived as a grave violation of press freedom principles and the public’s right to be informed. The bill has been widely criticized by watchdog groups, NGOs and finally journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) joined the concerned reporters and media outlets in condemning this bill.  

Apart from a danger of censorship, French female journalists mention the problem with sexism and harassment in the newsrooms. Clémentine Sarlat, sports journalist and rugby specialist for France 2 TV channel, quit her job after she revealed to have experienced work harassment and sexism from some of her colleagues. Her testimony spurred more journalists to share their stories. Tiffany Hennel, working for SRF, said she went “through” hell with a former editor in chief whose inappropriate comments she was forced to listen to. Andrea Decaudin, columnist for Télé Matin, also confided to being harassed by one of the male editors. 37 women journalists from L’Equipe issued a statement in which they expressed strong support for Clementine and denounced any kind of harassment. 

Central & Eastern Europe

Press freedom has been rapidly deteriorating in Central and Eastern Europe. The main challenges revolve around ownership concentration and government hostility. Both factors harm the media's credibility and threaten the future of independent journalism across the region. Tightening state-control over media outlets leads to further crackdowns on press freedom. This repression manifests as favoring biased coverage, censorship and identifying journalists as enemies of national order. Journalists covering social demonstrations, which broke out across the region, face threats of detention, arrest and physical assaults, mostly by law enforcement. The most unsettling examples in Europe this year undoubtedly come from Belarus, where people have been continuously protesting against the authoritarian regime, demanding respect for their basic civil rights. The troublingly violent situation in Belarus has been analyzed in detail in a separate section of this report. Another factor negatively influencing media freedom in the region is surely the ongoing health crisis. Some governments use the COVID-19 pandemic to enact restrictions that threaten press freedom and weaken public access to information.

Photo Credit: Olga Maltseva — AFP

Stifling atmosphere for journalists in Russia has become an inseparable part of the social and political landscape in this country. Reporters notoriously encounter website blocking, Internet cuts and imprisonment. Independent news outlets have either been brought under control or shut down. Apart from that, murders and physical attacks against journalists continue to go unpunished. Hence, many Russian journalists are very reluctant to talk about their work. In October, Irina Slavina, the editor-in-chief of Koza Press passed away after she self-immolated in front of the interior ministry's local office. She took this drastic step to protest the raid at her home by police investigators. Russian journalists need to face censorship and consequences of their “insubordination” on many levels.  Svetlana Prokopyeva, a journalist working for Radio Free Europe, was invesitaged for comments critical of Russian authorities in relation to a suicide bombing in 2018. In July 2020,  Russian court found her guilty of “justifying terrorism”.  Elena Milashina has broken a series of important stories related to human rights violations Chechnya and Kadyrov’s abuse of power. In April she was verbally attacked by Kadyrov. She continues the work started by her colleague collaborator Anna Politkovskaya who was assassinated in Moscow in 2006. 

Russia is also infamously known for troll farms which aim to spread disinformation, antagonize and attack people and interfere with elections. They intended to, inter alia, encourage Americans that there is no sense to vote or fueled misinformation, or spread fake news claiming that Poland wanted to take Grodno from Belarus, hence Polish support for “hostile movement aiming to harm national interest of Belarus”. In creation of such alternative reality and strategically dissembling the actual, difficult situation in the country’s media regulatory agency, Roskomnadzor. In the last months it has demanded from dozens of media outlets to remove content the organization found “inaccurate, socially significant information” about the coronavirus. Media outlets can also be fined up to hundreds of thousands euros, as a punishment for publishing articles that spread misinformation regarding the pandemic outbreak in Russia.  

Although there have been several changes introduced in favor of more transparent press law, the oligarchs’ tight grip on the media in Ukraine still stays strong. Anna Babinets and Nastya Stanko, two investigative reporters, who were recipients of the 2019 International Women’s Media Foundation, revealed in interviews what kind of pressure was put on them in order to quit. Babinets whose reporting has focused on big crime and corruption in Ukraine, has been threatened and that her life has been put at risk for her reporting. Stanko, was held hostage for three days by a Russian-controlled self-proclaimed "Luhansk People’s Republic" while reporting on the front lines of Eastern Ukraine. Overall in 2020, The Coalition For Women In Journalism documented 11 cases of attacks and threats against women journalists in Ukraine. Katerina Sergatskova, co-founder of the online media outlet Zaborona, was subjected to online harassment following her coverage exposing alleged links between Facebook, a local fact-checking organisation called StopFake, and far-right and neo-nazi groups. Her private address or photos of her son were shared on FB. She needed to leave the country. Especially challenging situations one can observe in the East of Ukraine. Bearing in mind the controversial legal status of Crimea and corruption, it’s very hard for women journalists to cover their stories freely. They are exposed to online threats and harassment or persecution. Ukrainian Journalist Lyubov Velychko received threats after her investigation analyzing 10 thousand messages on Russian Telegram channels. Some of these threats aimed to prevent her from reporting on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Women journalists in Ukraine were repeatedly attacked this passing year while reporting various developments on Covid-19 in the field. Many of them were physically assaulted and intimidated by protestors who had been agitated by the ongoing lockdown. Alla Zhiznevska and her crew were attacked by citizens who were opposing restrictions placed due to coronavirus in the city. Dina Zelenskaya, an Espresso TV reporter, was also attacked while covering lockdown restrictions in the capital city. Whereas reporter of a local news website Chernivtsi.Online, Dina Zelenskaya - an Espresso TV reporter was attacked while she tried to enter a church as her material was about the situation with churches during quarantine in Chernivtsi. Alina Sheremeta, a Hromadske TV reporter, was insulted by a man, who also followed her after she filmed her report at a store in Kiev. 

Photo Credit: Andrzej Hulimka — Agencja Forum

This year was shaped not only by a giant health crisis but also a massive social awakening which we witnessed throughout the whole world, including Eastern Europe. Those two challenges especially influenced the work of journalists this year. Driving force of the protests in Belarus are certainly women. As reporters they regularly encounter violence and fear of their safety. While women journalists are not the sole target during this historic social unrest in Belarus, the attacks against them must be recognized as we observe their fundamental role in leading social movements in Central and Eastern Europe. Women have emerged to be the main power that fuels and pushes forward numerous protests across this region as an act of resistance against patriarchal culture. The similar dynamic one can observe in Poland where women’s protests were sparked by a controversial ruling by the Polish Constitutional Tribunal restricting abortions. As violence escalates in Poland, journalists come under attack. CFWIJ is dismayed at the growing level of police violence that targets citizens and journalists. Photojournalist Agata Grzybowska was detained despite showing her press card, Renata Kim was physically assaulted while covering independence March whereas two journalist Magda Kozioł and Joanna Urbańska-Jaworska where attacked by hooligans on one of the Women’s Strike demonstrations. The ruling party (Law and Justice) is tightening its grip on the media. Conservative politicians from the coalition that has majority in the parliament repeatedly mention in public that private media are fueled with “German capital” and are hostile towards those representing patriotic (in this understanding: rightist) views. Recently the state-owned group ORLEN (mostly active in the fuels and energy markets) bought Polska Press one of the biggest editorial offices in Poland which consists of numerous regional newspapers. This transaction sparked a big concern among journalists and human rights watchdogs. It is perceived as a part of a bigger plan which may bring a state control over the vast majority of media outlets operating in Poland. That could result in censorship and biased coverage.

The strategy to “national media free from outside propaganda” bears a striking resemblance to what we have been witnessing in Hungary in the last years. Over the past decade Viktor Orbán and his allies have systematically taken control of roughly 90% of media outlets here. Such control on key sources of information allows the government to shape the media landscape and adjust coverage to their favor. No wonder, that the majority of news outlets and TV broadcasters neglect to present any critical views towards national politics and choose a blunt, blind support instead. In July, more than 70 journalists, including 20 women reporters, and staff at Hungary's key independent media site Index resigned, accusing the government of launching a campaign to pressure or even destroy their website. The decision was the aftermath of firing Index’s editor in chief Szabolcs Dull. CFWIJ spoke about the growing hostility for media freedom to Viktoria Serdült, a journalist for HVG.hu, one of the very few independent news outlets left in the country. Viktoria stressed that most of the newsrooms, Radio and TV stations don’t even try to keep appearances of basic objectivity. What is even more worrisome is the position of influential representatives of the business sector. They tightly collaborate with politicians and are eager to bend the standards by the outlets they own in order to receive financial profit i.e. in a form of advertisements. “We see many young journalists burnt out not only because of the hard work that they do but due to unpredictability towards the future. This pressure on the media in a way has not only affected the industry alone but also the aspirations of the public. That is why the Orban government didn’t dare shut down Index via legal pressure, because that would mean a huge decline in their popularity, so they went about it rather sneakily”, Viktoria commented for CFWIJ. Another danger comes directly from restrictions imposed as a consequence of the pandemic. At the end of April, Orbán’s administration pushed the new law as a part of “state emergency” politics which criminalizes “the spreading of misinformation deemed to undermine the authorities’ efforts to combat the COVID-19”. Breaking these regulations can result in up to five years in prison.

7.6 Balkans

For years, journalists in the Balkan region have worked in extremely challenging environments. Most countries struggle with abuse of power, corruption, discrimination, criminal activity and shady links between politicians and powerful executives. The aforementioned threats equally harm both democracy and press freedom, putting pressure on journalists. Journalists face insults, death threats and legal proceedings designed to intimidate and impede them from pursuing certain stories, especially those focused on corruption.

Photo Credit: N1

The deterioration of the media landscape is fueled by divisive rhetoric that targets media workers, a lack of transparency in media ownership, and online harassment. There is infamous impunity for the threats and attacks on journalists, predominantly targeting women journalists. Malicious activities include hacking social media accounts, stealing data, posting pictures online, using slurs, sexualized comments, and even rape threats. In the Balkans, where the deprecation of women is part of the social landscape – online attacks targeted at women are common and even accepted to some extent. Women journalists are more likely to be attacked for their lifestyle, appearance and subjected to sexist comments. Male journalists are typically targeted for no more than their coverage.

Serbia

The decline in media freedoms in the few years corresponds to an increase in the number of recorded attacks on journalists. Despite the fact that online smear campaigns – often orchestrated by pro-government media – continue, attacks on journalists’ credibility are not investigated, not to mention punished. Public media joined the pro-government chorus and became a platform for politicians to present their agenda and point of view to the people.  They are unlikely to question these statements. Journalists who go against these dominant, sugary narratives, can be called “the enemies of the state”. Among the pandemic, Serbia expanded its control on reporting in order to mitigate the critical messages accusing the government of lack of proper response to the health crisis. Journalist Ana Lalić faced criminal charges for “causing public unrest and damaging a hospital’s reputation” after she reported on the lack of medical supplies and equipment for its staff. She was also briefly arrested. Luckily, Serbian prosecution has dropped charges against her in the end. Yet,it doesn’t mean that the suffocating political climate is gone. KRIK reporter Bojana Pavlović was manhandled and her equipment was illegally confiscated, when she was filming son of Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, sitting in a café with Aleksandar Vidojevic, who is currently on trial for participating in organized crime. Additionally, a report prepared by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Institute claimed that this year’s parliamentary election was the most controversial in 20 years, as – according to the experts – it had “a record number of irregularities”. The tense atmosphere revolving around the voting contributed to even more difficult working conditions for journalists. Some journalists were verbally threatened with violence, prevented from attending the pre-election rally or even attacked at the polling stations. One journalist heard that he was not allowed to enter a rally because “he would write nonsense”. The situation is clearly not improving. Shortly after the election, in July, numerous journalists were beaten, attacked and their equipment was destroyed while covering anti-government protests which sparked as a result of re-imposing curfew on the weekends. Nova.rs journalist Milica Bozinovic was aggressively pushed by police officers. They also knocked a phone out of her hand. Yet, it wasn’t the first attack on Milicia. She was also inappropriately hit on the hips with a truncheon by a police officer while she was trying to help an injured protester. CFWIJ spoke to Jelena Zorić, N1 reporter who was teargassed at that time. “I reported during the first night of the protests. I haven’t suffered any direct physical attack or threats. There were insults and tense moments but I don’t react to the insults; in fact, whenever I can, I give people who insult the company I work with or myself a chance to speak”, she said. 

As Bojana was leaving the venue, three men stopped her stating they were police officers. They however did not present her with a police badge. She showed them her press ID card, explaining that she was on duty. Bojana was then told the police would be arriving at the scene. 

Albania

The biggest media outlets are owned by a limited number of people, who have connections and links to both lucrative business and politicians. Hence, it is understood to some extent that these newspapers TV and Radio Stations are by default reluctant to take upon difficult topics such as corruption or blurred lines between influential businessmen and state representatives. When – regardless of the known consequences – a journalist decides to follow a certain, sensitive story, they are intimidated with threats of losing a job and income. Sometimes the salaries can be frozen and such economic pressure becomes a reality check for reporters. Especially when they are aware they are unlikely to receive support from their newsroom not to mention how powerful people they might challenge. In addition, there is a visible confrontational approach of high rank politicians to the media, they call journalists names, use slurs, call them liars, and fuel the tensions in the society which adds another value of intimidation for reporters and affects their credibility. One of the common excuses for tightening a grip on media freedom is so-called “fight against fake news”. Already in December 2019, the governing majority voted in Parliament an “anti-defamatory” package tightening the regulation of online media which was proposed by the Prime Minister Edi Rama.. This decision only confirmed a course set by the government in direction of further censorship and intimidation of the press. The situation is additionally worsening due to the pandemic. IPI recognized at least two incidents of press freedom violations in Albania strictly related to the global health crisis: Firstly, the troubling voice message sent via Vodafone from Prime Minister Edi Rama in which he encouraged people to wash their hands and “protect themselves from the media”. Another incident affected Ora News journalist Eliz Laze who was threatened by a construction worker for filming the group carrying out work which clearly violated COVID-19 restrictions. The killing of an unarmed 25-years old man for breaking the curfew sparked in December massive civil protests in the several cities in the country. Numerous journalists covering this unrest experienced detention, police violence, brutal impediments at work (i.e. stopping them from filming).

View fullsize

In the aftermath of the another massive social protest that broke out last year Alice Taylor British journalist based in Tirana, experienced severe consequences, some of them are still causing problems till this day. Alice Taylor spoke to CFWIJ about this harrowing experience. Albanians took to the streets after a release of tapes proving the government's links to organised crime and money laundering. The journalist presented the tense situation in Albania to various English-speaking, foreign media, including Russia Today. In a conversation with CFWIJ, Alice defended this decision. “It is better that somebody gets the facts straight from me as I am capable of delivering unbiased narration, rather than write some fake news about it”, she claimed. As a result, Alice was targeted with a smear campaign launched by pro-government media. She was called a Russian Spy and even persona non grata in Albania. The level of hate she received forced her to shut down her FB page temporarily. She was called names on the streets, had problems with her residence permit as they wanted to revoke it. She didn’t leave the house for some time, pictures of her and her partner were posted online. To make the matter worse, at that time she was pregnant worrying about losing her child. Alice Taylor eventually sued the authorities for unjustified revocation of her permit. She won, yet the representative of the state didn’t miss any occasion to intimidate and abuse her mentally throughout the trial. She is now suing the media outlets which fueled the massive spiral of violence. If she receives compensation she will use it to set a fund for legal fees for Albanian journalists because economic violence is one of the reasons many of them can’t fight for their rights. She concluded the conversation with a call to be persistent and determined. “We all need to go forward and make everything we can to see the improvement in the world and address the impunity”, she said.

7.7 Africa

In many African countries, effective protection of press freedom remains a challenge. Despite many improvements in recent years, several still struggle to create a decent working environment for journalists. According to the data gathered in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, a significant number of countries face either a “difficult situation” or a “very serious situation” regarding press freedom. The main threats consist of internet blocking, widespread censorship, and a lack of funding. Inadequate financing puts independent media outlets in a vulnerable position, making them dependent on the state’s mercy. The authorities’ apathy undermines journalists’ credibility, leaving them open to attacks, physical assaults, arrest or even worse - assassinations. According to RSF data, 102 journalists have been killed in Africa over the past ten years, 51 in Somalia.

Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists worldwide. Given the complicated political situation, and activity of non-state actors including militias and terrorist groups journalists can become a target of a bombing attack and need to juggle pressure coming from many sides while having neither protection nor freedom of expression. 

Surely, one should be reluctant to generalize given the size and the variety of the continent. Some countries continue their slow but consistent progress in this matter which is worth mentioning. Since the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia ended, the new administration tries to create a more diverse media landscape. The state-owned media companies no longer have a broadcast news monopoly and some private outlets have been launched. The parliament even decided to subsidize media outlets which suffer from the prolonged lockdown. 

While we welcome such improvements, the bitter truth is that this is just a glimpse of hope which is still in a minority. The Gambia still has a long way to go to retract from all of the draconian laws introduced during the dictatorship, whereas Ethiopia which freed all of detained journalists in 2019, now witnesses another wave of hostility towards press freedom including internet blackouts, detentions and direct threats against journalists (in this case made by an army general). There are more of such disturbing examples. In DRC, news organizations covering the response to the Ebola epidemic have become a regular target of attacks. Additionally in some countries the current pandemic has only aggravated the difficult situation that already was challenging for journalists before. Journalists covering the pandemic are threatened with physical assault or even arrest as many governments would like to limit the flow of information to the public. In July, The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority, which regulates the media, suspended Kwanza Online TV for 11 months for “generating and disseminating biased, misleading and disruptive content” after it shared a US embassy info on social media in which they alarmed that the government didn’t manage to publish any Covid-19 figures since the end of April. Meanwhile Azarrah Karrim, South African reporter for News24 was preparing material about the lockdown when she was attacked with rubber bullets fired by the police. When she confronted the police officers, they only laughed at her and said: “They missed you? What a waste!”.

Photo Credit: Lameck Masina — VOA

Apart from threats associated with reporting on state oppression, physical assault or detention, women journalists across the continent face gender-based mistreatment. According to a UNESCO study on freedom of expression in Africa published in 2018, Women journalists face psychological harm, invasion of privacy, loss of identity, limitation of mobility, censorship, and loss of property as a result of their work. They mention discrimination at work, pressure from families, who often would better see them fulfiling traditional gender roles, financial insecurity (aggravated by the gender pay gap) and sexual harassment. Gender-based violence is a burning issue throughout the continent. In November, hundreds of women journalists gathered in rallies across Malawi to denounce misogyny, extending solidarity to victims of sexual harassment and assault. Female journalists have called for stringent punishment for sexual offenders. African journalists also complain that, as women, their credibility is regularly questioned.

In 2020 CFWIJ documented at least 35 various attacks on women journalists in Africa, including those which affected multiple reporters. It is a significant rise as in 2019 we recorded 19 cases. Most of these incidents happened in Nigeria (9), South Africa (5) and Uganda (3). Nine journalists were impeded in the field, five reporters encountered respectively state oppression and workplace harassment. Five journalists were arrested, four subjected to physical assault whereas two were abducted. 

Nigeria

The crackdown on press freedom in Nigeria, additionally fueled by the ongoing pandemic, continues. Journalists are regularly attacked, physically assaulted and subjected to state oppression (including arbitrary arrest). This year alone, three reporters were killed. Covering politics or financial embezzlement can bring serious consequences to reporters. Pressure comes from the very influential (often public) figures. Systematic intimidation can eventually lead to self-censorship. Additionally, at least 18 journalists were assaulted while covering the nationwide #ENDSARS protests against police brutality in October. Some of these attacks were committed by police officers. Policemen also opened fire to the protestors: at least 12 people were killed. SARS stands for The Special Anti-Robbery Squad. SARS unit has been repeatedly accused by human rights defenders of torture, ill-treatment, extra-judicial killings and extortion.

“Journalists in Nigeria generally do not have it very easy especially those who question the wrong in either the judicial system or government. Due to omnipresent sexism and double standards female journalists in particular haven't had it so easy with the consequent governments. Although high-rank politicians claim to live up to democratic standards the reality is entirely different. In Nigeria we do not have the freedom of speech and expression,” stresses Irene Ubani, Nigerian journalist in a conversation with CFWIJ.  

As for women journalists they are often not treated seriously because of their gender and sexually objectified. They need to break a lot of stereotypes in order to pursue their career. The threats however, go much more beyond that. In May, Chinenye Iwuoha, reporter of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Pacesetter FM, was abducted by armed bandits on her way back home. In spite of her eventual release, the danger for her and for other reporters did not go away. Few weeks later, another female journalist Chinyere Okoye working for the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA was kidnapped by an unknown gunman. She was picked up in front of her home’s gate as she tried to enter her compound. Luckily, she was also freed at the end. Such traumatic experiences leave a scar on both mental and physical health and are a brutal message to other reporters who may not feel safe either. 

Uganda

Acts of aggression and consistent intimidation of the press is unfortunately an inherent part of the landscape in Uganda. The situation is now deteriorating due to tensions related to the election season. The presidential election will be held in January and since the very beginning of the campaign, we are alarmed by the unsettling news coming from the country. The current authoritarian regime led by president Yoweri Museveni (who came to power in 1986) is fighting for its existence by targeting journalists, political dissidents and opposition leaders. Presidential candidate Bobi Wine, has been arrested at least twice in the past months. 

Journalists covering presidential rallies are regularly attacked. Sumy Sadurni, photojournalist based in Kampala was among those pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed during one of such events held in November. She then commented to CFWIJ: “Journalists were targeted by police as we were covering a sort of political rally. We were teargassed, some were beaten and stopped from doing our jobs. Personally, a tear gas canister went off on my leg and someone tried to rob me but luckily I grabbed my bag quickly enough. Then, photos of me and another colleague who is a guy were posted on Twitter calling us CIA spies.” The posts that claimed Sumy and her colleagues are CIA spies were published by military intelligence spokesmen. 

Photo Credit: Nicholas Bamulanzeki

For the incumbent president and his administration, continuing crackdown on press freedom may be the most effective way to secure their position. In December, Uganda revoked the media accreditations of all foreign journalists, including those registered to cover the 14 January polls. This decision will make election coverage extremely difficult also for the local reporters as they don’t know whether they will be allowed to monitor the voting closely. Shortly before introducing this highly alarming and unjustified regulation, CBC News foreign correspondent Margaret Evans, producer Lily Martin and videographer Jean-François Bisson were deported from Uganda. The CBC team were detained for several hours before informing them they were deported. Then they were allowed to return to their hotel under armed guard before being taken to the airport. These situations shall not be perceived as isolated incidents, rather a pattern which raises a serious question about the transparency of the upcoming elections. 

Tightening grip on press freedom has its severe consequences in particular for women journalists who are exposed to various threats related to their gender and generally weak position of women in the society. This weak position has been consistently confirmed by the authorities. President Museveni has a long record of silencing and targeting women journalists and undermining their credibility. Women journalists in Uganda are subjected to several forms of threats starting from online trolling, death threats to imprisonment and physical attacks.. Many women journalists in Uganda have stopped reporting stories that are critical towards the government because they fear backlash in a form of attacks and harassment from the state. Media experts claim that government and security agents occasionally call editors and instruct them to “not to publish stories that negatively portray the government.” 

8. Country focus: Top six countries with the most number of cases

The United States

The United States is currently witnessing one historic civil unrest, one of the longest in many years. Protests which were initially spurred by George Floyd’s death, quickly took a broader agenda and became protests against repeated tragedies of killing Black Americans by police and systemic racism in the country in general. While covering this undoubtedly critical moment in US history, an unprecedented number of journalists have been assaulted, arrested or otherwise impeded at work.

Photo Credit: Erin Schaff — The New York Times

egularly, almost every week there is information about least one incidence of police brutality against a civilian or a journalist at a protest. According to data collected by the US. Press Freedom Tracker, around 200 journalists were attacked, 100 arrested whereas the number of various incidents linked to press freedom violations hit more than 1000 cases. There are many examples of unjustified use of violence by law enforcement towards the press. That includes, use of pepper spray or rubber bullets, kittling and destroying the equipment. In a conversation with CFWIJ, Stephanie Sugars, a reporter for the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker discussed some of the examples of attacks on women journalists. Photojournalist Linda Tirado lost her eye from a rubber bullet while she was covering a protest in Minneapolis in May. Tampa based reporter Divya Kumar was knocked to the ground, arrested and held for a couple of hours before police finally accepted her media credentials. Alyssa Schukar, covering a protest that sparked after Jacob Blake was killed, was struck by a rubber bullet on the hand that was holding her camera and it shattered her index finger. She needed surgery and couldn’t work for several months. And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

This year we also witnessed the US Presidential election which added another layer to challenges that journalists face in this country. While the United States has been severely affected by the pandemic, the nation grows apart. Deepening polarization has been clearly visible not only on Black Lives Matter protests, but also at support rallies for candidates when the ballots were still being counted. Journalists covering marches to polls and election protests found themselves in the eye of the storm. One of the major problems was undoubtedly misinformation and spread of contradictory news across social media. This trend only fuels the growing distrust of the media in the US.

The longer, people needed to wait for the final results, the more tension was being observed among the citizens. People were taking to the streets to show support for their candidates and some of them wanted to oppose so-called “election fraud” repeatedly claimed by Donald Trump. Some of this negative energy was taken out on the press. Journalist Beth Nakamura was harassed by a group of men while covering a pro-Trump rally in Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon. She then spoke about the whole situation to CFWIJ. commented on her confrontation with the pro-Trump ralliers: “In my entire career I’ve never recorded press harassment but yesterday, when a handful of Trump supporters began following and harassing me, I decided to hit record.” She said “Though I knew it would likely agitate them further, I did it because I wanted to show what harassing journalists actually looks like.” 

Belarus

Since the controversial presidential elections held in August, Belarus constantly proves to be nothing but a hostile environment for journalists where press freedom is not respected. Claiming an absolute victory by Alexander Lukashenko caused a massive social disaccord and pushed people to start a countermovement. Belarus has begun to tighten its grip on civil society including media workers. Journalists in Belarus are doing outstanding work to ensure the world knows about the level of brutality the authorities and law enforcement institutions use in order to suppress civil protests. As a consequence they became a target of the regime as well. Given the increasingly hostile environment and ruthlessness of the authorities, Belarus has confirmed its status as the most dangerous country for journalists in Europe, according to RSF.

Photo Credit: BAJ

Few months into the protests, the arrests and assaults of activists, journalists and regular citizens not only continue but also intensify. The number of detained people reached more than 24 0000 at the end of November. As of December 11, 5000 people were brought to administrative liability on political grounds, 950 people have become suspects in politically-motivated criminal cases, out of them 147 are recognized as political prisoners. These horrifying statistics fairly illustrate the massive scale of the state terror in Belarus. 

Many of them are facing multi-year prison terms for crimes they never committed. The regime feels the growing pressure which results in ruthless attacks happening almost every day. As of December 3, at least 451 journalists in Belarus have been detained according to figures from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ). As of December 11, seven journalists are in jail, including five women: Katsiaryna  Barysevich, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, Daria Chultsova, Ihar Ilyash, Yana Trusila, Ivan Kurakevich and Liubou Luneva. At least free of them face serious criminal charges. Liubou Luneva was detained on December 7 while covering the rally of pensioners. According to Hanna Lubiakova, Liubou was taken by the ambulance from the infamous Akrescina detention centre. Katsiaryna Barysevich was arrested on 19 November as a result of investigating the death of 31-year old Raman Bandarenka due to severe injuries caused by the police brutality. Katsiaryna Andreyeva, a reporter with Belsat TV was arrested on November 15, reportedly faces criminal charges for allegedly organizing a riot. Katsiaryna was arrested together with Belsat TV camerawoman Daria Chultsova. They both face similar proceedings. Journalist Yana Trusila was detained while covering one of the protests for Novy Chas on November 29. At first, her whereabouts were unknown, and she was believed to have disappeared. 

Overall, since the beginning of the protests in Belarus, CFWIJ has documented more than 40 women journalists detained with three of them having their accreditation revoked. Journalist Yulia Kotskaya was sentenced to 8 days for allegedly participating in the protest which she was covering. Belsat TV journalist Kaciaryna Andreeva was charged with the “organization of actions that grossly violate public order” and remains under arrest. Her family’s apartment was searched. The police showed up with a search warrant at the doors of Hanna Valadashchuk, a journalist of the independent Hazeta Slonimaskaya newspaper, for her alleged link to insults aired on local Telegram channels. The authorities consistently limit the access to information and treat journalists as enemies as they reveal their unlawful and brutal tactics. 

Shivering examples of maltreatment of people who encounter law enforcement officers only prove that the atmosphere for civil society and press is suffocating. Nasha Zakharevich, freelance Belarusian journalist joined a panel organized by CFWIJ on combating violence against women journalists and shared her chilling testimonies from the time she was detained. Nasha was imprisoned twice. She stressed that prisoners are forced to function in a very bright light all around the clock and are exposed to a lot of noise, i.e from a loud radio station. Additionally cells are overcrowded. Nasha emphasized that the police don't pay attention to safety measures. There are examples of 16 women kept in a cell designed for eight people. Officers offer sharing cups of tea between the prisoners which is extremely dangerous and irresponsible amidst the global pandemic. “Being detained and the way they treat you really affect your mental health. I am taking antidepressants and didn't have enough of them in prison. So when I was back home, I experienced a real deterioration of my mental condition”, Nasha confided during the webinar. 

CFWIJ has been monitoring the developments in Belarus with great concern. We launched a special in-focus page where one can find detailed information on women journalists reporting on the ground. We also signed a joint statement with other international organizations calling for the EU agencies to reintroduce sanctions against Belarus given the deterioration of freedom of the press in the country. 

Turkey

This year in Turkey, press freedom has been undermined and overpowered by the Turkish authorities. The safety of women journalists has been disregarded, with numerous legal cases filed against them. Their press credentials have been denied, and they are repeatedly arrested and detained. CFWIJ has documented at least 35 separate attacks in Turkey.

So far in 2020, we documented the arrest of four female journalists, five women attacked in the field and 15 female reporters detained. More than 30 cases were filed against women journalists in Turkey. Two of the arrested journalists were subjected to inhumane treatment in prison.

The Coronavirus outbreak in Turkey, as well as all over the world, had a negative impact on journalists. CFWIJ documented that authorities in Turkey have been notorious for their treatment of women journalists inside jails and as of now, six women journalists - Ayşenur Parıldak, Hanım Büşra Erdal, Hatice Duman, Aslıhan Gençay, Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala- are arbitrarily held for their journalistic coverage inside the country’s prisons. These journalists are not only vulnerable to the unfair attitude of the authorities, but are also highly vulnerable to the Coronavirus, given the crowded conditions in prisons. Attacks in the field is another important issue that journalists face in Turkey. On March 3, an unidentified group of 15-20 people attacked the homes of three reporters —two of them women— with the Sputnik Turkish Service. The assaults appeared to be coordinated since all three homes were raided at the same time. Turkish authorities chose to detain the journalists, instead of going after the culprits. The three were taken into custody when they attempted to file a complaint against their attackers.

Turkish authorities invalidated the press cards of hundreds of journalists who work for the newspapers Evrensel and Birgün. Last year, the Directorate of Communications changed the color of the cards from yellow to turquoise. The change required journalists to get their cards renewed, requiring them to apply for renewal. Despite seeming like a normal change, the 'update' has taken a more sinister shape. Renewal applications of several journalists were rejected without a clear reason, resulting in the cancellation of their press cards. Additionally, older press cards were nullified and can no longer be used.  Women journalists whose cards were revoked include Editor-in-Chief Şengül Karadağ Bayhan, photojournalist Sevil Atar, as well as correspondents Derya Dursun, Elif Ekin Saltık, Elif Görgü, Emine Uyar, and Nazire Yaşar.

Turkey is the country with the second-highest number of journalists behind bars. This year four journalists were arrested solely for doing their job. Hülya Kılınç and Müyesser Yıldız were sent to prison this year, waiting at least six months for freedom. Both journalists face terror charges, though their trials are still pending. 

Jinnews reporter Şehriban Abi and journalist Nazan Sala remain behind bars awaiting justice. The journalists were arrested on October 11 for reporting about Kurdish villagers who were tortured and thrown from a national army helicopter. One of the torture victims, Servet Turgut, died from his injuries on September 30. The journalists were tortured while held in the male ward of the prison, under deplorable conditions.

CFWIJ has launched a petition campaign to support journalist Ayşegül Doğan, who was sentenced six years in prison, to demand the charges against her be dropped. Ayşegül Doğan is accused of "being a member of an armed organization" due to her broadcasts on İMC TV and the interviews she made with people who contributed to the solution process that would help to bring peace between Kurdish and Turkish citizens of Turkey. The campaign reached at least 348 people who signed the petition.

India

Throughout 2020, India has been relentless with its crusade on press freedom. The ongoing farmers’ protests have put journalists on the frontlines in a precariously dangerous situation. 

CFWIJ has received reports from several women journalists worried about their safety and well-being while covering these events. Several women journalists have been attacked, along with multiple reports of threats to women reporters covering the farmer protests on the ground. Women of television and public media are exposed to online trolling as well as disinformation campaigns that target many journalists covering the unrest in India.

Over the Covid-19 pandemic, camerapersons and reporters were the most affected. India has ordered its people to stay at home, shut businesses and suspended all transport in a lockdown meant to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus. However, many journalists continued to report and contracted the virus. Most of the cases were reported in Mumbai, the financial and entertainment capital of India. 

So far in 2020, CFWIJ documented at least 35 attacks against women journalists. At least seven female reporters were impeded in the field, three of them were physically assaulted. Eight journalists were targeted by online harassment and seven faced legal harassment. 

On February 24, riots erupted in the northeast side of Delhi. The journalists reporting the developments on the ground were targeted. CFWIJ documented the attacks against women journalists, coming across unpleasant cases that have put these journalists at severe risk. On the third day of rioting, the violence escalated. Around 23 people were murdered amidst clashes, which left 189 injured. The riots broke out in a dispute over India’s controversial citizenship law. The protests mutated into a Hindu vs. Muslims showdown, the Hindu extremists holding the upper hand in the violence. Journalists covered the protests in an incredible position, facing attacks from both sides. In several instances, they were asked to provide their identification to prove their religion, and if found to be Muslim, they were targeted or threatened with violence.

28 years old young journalist Rizwana Tabassum took her own life due to political pressure. The journalist committed suicide by hanging on the morning of May 4. Samajwadi Party leader, Shamim Nomani, was arrested after Rizwana’s suicide note blaming him was recovered from her room. Rizwana left a suicide note, writing that "Shamim Nomani is responsible." 

Journalist Rana Ayyub was another victim of online harassment. On July 3, Rana took to Twitter to report the various death and rape threats she received after her coverage aired on Kashmir. The threats began after she spoke out against the recent killing of Bashir Ahmed Khan, a 65-year-old Srinagar resident, who was caught in the crossfire between militants and security personnel in Kashmir’s Sopore region. This intimidating attempt was not Rana’s first time. In April 2018, she complained about her face being morphed on the body of another woman in a pornographic video and the abuse that followed on social media. However, Delhi police shut down the investigation against 18 different Twitter users who used death and rape threats and pornographic content to intimidate the journalist in August 2020.

Many journalists were exposed to attacks in the field. On August 11, a crowd attacked three reporters working with The Caravan, in upper east Delhi's North Ghonda neighborhood. For around 90 minutes, the three reporters — Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and a woman journalist, whose name is not disclosed for safety reasons — endured an onslaught of racist, islamophobic and sexist slurs, death threats. The woman journalist was also sexually harassed.

Egypt

While Egypt’s constitution enshrines a free press, bans censorship, and protects press independence, the reality differs significantly from these nobel declarations.  Egypt is infamously known for being one of the biggest jails for journalists in the world. Raids on homes and prolonged detentions without being charged or tried embody consistent crackdown on press freedom in the country. Journalists also struggle with expanded censorship, blocking websites or political attempts to interfere in the work of the newsrooms. Many working for pro-government media outlets receive concrete instructions on what they can report and what they should overlook. The situation is particularly tense now, among the pandemic. As the pandemic continues, the government is strengthening its control over information. In 2020, numerous journalists were arbitrarily detained based on terrorist-related accusations and for “causing unrest”. According to CPJ, in 2020, 34 journalists were jailed for “false news”. CFWIJ documented five women journalists arrested this past year. Detailed examples can be found in the “imprisonments'' section. In March, one journalist was arrested after he questioned the official statistics related to Covid-19 on his personal Facebook page. Also in March. Guardian's Cairo correspondent Ruth Michaelson was forced by Egyptain authorities to leave the country following her COVID-19 reporting. Ruth reported on a scientific study which claimed that Egypt possibly had more coronavirus cases than it was officially presenting. Rue spoke to CFWIJ about this whole situation: “This incident is clearly about the profound lack of press freedom in Egypt, especially concerning at the time of a pandemic. Forcing Egyptian journalists as well as the foreign press based in the country to fear citing scientific research on the possible spread of COVID-19 endangers the Egyptian public. There is clear public interest in information on the spread of COVID-19, and this need not be a political or even a nationalist issue,” she said. 

While the political climate in Egypt is suffocating for press freedom, women journalists carry double burden as apart from the consequences of their reporting they regularly face gender-based violence. In 2020, CFWIJ documented 22 various attacks on women journalists in Egypt, including those which affected multiple reporters. According to the material we meticulously gather, eight female reporters were subjected to legal harassment, five journalists were arrested, six - detained, whereas two female reporters experienced sexual harassment. Journalist Doaa Khalifa was threatened with violence. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

This year Egypt witnessed a momentum of country’s #MeToo movement when a flood of sexual harassment stories poured out on social media in June, the majority of them pointing out a student of the American University in Cairo who allegedly harassed, assaulted, and raped over 50 girls. In August, hundreds of women journalists issued a joint statement denouncing misogyny and expressing solidarity with survivors of sexual harassment and assault. The document included a call for urgent investigation in media institutions against investigative journalist and trainer Hisham Allam. In a short period of time, at least five women journalists shared their horrifying testimonies in which they described examples of assault, or even rape. Only during the summer, CFWIJ received 20 testimonies from Egyptian women journalists in which day shared their harrowing experience with sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Harassment is embodied in various forms and its gravity is fueled by the omnipresent sense of impunity for crimes against journalists. In October Journalist Doaa Khalifa was found arbitrarily detained after being missing for around three weeks. She was abducted after publishing a video in which she called upon international organizations to help her against Colonel Ahmed Shaaban, Former colonel in military intelligence who intimidated and threatened her. Another Journalist Basma Mostafa was abducted and later detained for covering the murder of a citizen in the Luxor Governorate at the hands of a national security officer. The Supreme National Security court decided to put Basama in 15 days pre-trial detention over her journalistic activities. Basma was missing for 26 hours before the arrest which triggered a lot of worries for her family. Basma was priorly detained and interrogated twice; in April she was arrested for covering state precautionary measures for COVID-19 breakout and in 2016 she was arrested and interrogated for covering the murder of five Egyptian citizens in relation to Julio Regeini’s case. Journalist Amira Fathy of Al-Wafd was harassed by vice president of the senate-house, Mohamed Elrashidy. The politicians attacked her on Facebook because she wrote about his violations of construction laws. Mr.Rashidy then wrote a post on Facebook name-calling, threatening, and personally attacking the journalist. At the end Amira Fathy of Al-Wafd filed a lawsuit against the representative for intimidating her. 

Additionally, in February we learned about journalist Rehab Badr’s passing. According to Egyptian press, Rehab’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her home in Cairo. The circumstances of death are still not fully known. An Egyptian newspaper reported that no sign of a break in has been determined during initial examination and preliminary evidence confirmed it to be a suicide, as said by a security source in the Cairo Security Directorate. Evidence gathered using fingerprints have indicated suicide. Another paper mentioned a security source stating that she was strangled to death on her bed in the apartment, along with an indication of unclear circumstances. 

Pakistan

While the prime minister Imran Khan claims that press freedom is enshrined in Pakistan the attacks on journalists continue to rise in the country. Reporters are exposed to arbitrary arrest and unjustified criminal prosecutions. Additionally, prolonged pretrial detentions are very common. These intimidating tactics aim to expand censorship and create a hostile atmosphere for those who dare to follow controversial, sensitive stories. There are examples that newsrooms receive letters with threats (including death threats) for their critical reporting. Such a thing happened to journalists working for the Jang Group, who regularly write about the controversies revolving around the activity of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Journalists in Pakistan experience assasination attempts, death threats and verbal harassment which very often has its very dire physical consequences. No wonder, that Pakistan has been labelled as one of the most dangerous countries to be a journalist. Reporters also flag that since Imran Khan became prime minister, both the military’s influence on the government and the administration’s reluctance to critical voices have visibly grown.

However, one of the most burning challenges that really casts a shadow on press freedom in Pakistan is undoubtedly online trolling which targets predominantly women journalists. Some politicians even admit themselves (of course off the record) that if there is a need to create a momentum and point out the public hate into a certain direction, focusing on female reporters as the main recipients of vicious comments is the most effective way. It escalates quickly and people are more likely to touch upon and follow them. It is strictly linked to the patriarchal mindset heavily impregnated in the social structure.

Photo Credit: Asif Hassan — AFP

CFWIJ identified 67 cases of online attacks against women journalists in Pakistan this year. However, these statistics don’t include widespread daily trolling that women are facing yet is very hard to track. Consistent and planned hateful campaigns often linked to political parties (in particular to the ruling party) are very symptomatic for the Pakistani landscape. Vicious attacks on women journalists by those affiliated with the government, political parties and their supporters, are increasingly impacting their work, mental wellbeing and security. These attacks include gender-based and sexualized abuse, attacking their credibility and persecution. Journalists are accused of “peddling fake news” or ‘serving political agendas’, whenever the coverage is not favorable to certain political powers. Online attacks include doxing, hacking attempts, publication of photos of journalists and in some extreme cases – even their addresses. They receive rape and death threats, are bombared with sexist slurs and highly sexualised comments. Some photographs and videos before being leaked on social media are doctored and distorted. The intensified attacks have been additionally prompted by the critical coverage on the pandemic. Journalists point out that Khan’s administration is not handling the health crisis very well. Online harassment is incited by government officials and then amplified by numerous, individual Twitter accounts, who are not hiding their affiliation to the ruling party.

As the unsettling trend of systematized and planned online trolling continues to spread, a group of Pakistani women journalists released a joint statement with a hashtag #AttacksWontSilenceUs which was a spur for a broader campaign conducted on Twitter. Female reporters started to share their stories and expressed solidarity with each other. CFWIJ joined the campaign and helped to amplify the case. We also organized online awareness campaign under the same hashtag #AttacksWontSilenceUs, which was joined by prominent Pakistani journalists who shared their experience. The key findings featured a special report summarizing the whole campaign. 

Despite the alarming situation, pressure and being consistent bears a fruit. On August 16, Sharmila Faruqui, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) presented a resolution against the online harassment faced by Pakistani women journalists at the Sindh assembly. She demanded an inquiry into the issue and sought reinstatement of freedom of expression under Article 19 of Pakistan’s constitution. Thanks to Sharmila's enormous effort the resolution passed. 

CFWIJ has been consistently supporting brave Pakistani reporters in their quest for creating a safer environment for journalists and combating online harassment. Apart from launching several statements, CFWIJ is a signatory of petitions initiated by Pakistani journalists. In the aforementioned documents we stress the gravity of online harassment, strongly denounce such practices as a tool to intimidate the press and call upon the politicians to take swift action and finally address this issue. It is critical that politicians finally adopt a code of conduct for social media teams of political parties, thoroughly investigate the networks that have been engaged in launching and leading coordinated attacks and hold accountable those who are responsible. 

Despite many declarations, not much of a sustained progress has been made. Just in December, another female journalist became a victim of online abuse. Ailia Zehra, journalist and managing editor of the Naya Daur Media was targeted in an online smear campaign instigated by the accounts connected to the ruling party PTI. The whole thing was sparked by her TV appearance where she discussed an interview given by the former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar which wasn’t welcome by PTI representatives. They then published a critical video pointing out Ailia which sparked a wave of hateful comments on Twitter. Many of our members, similarly to Ailia, experience extended online harassment that has been occurring for many years. Gharidah Farooqi, journalist and host of TV show G for Gharidah has been regularly attacked since 2016.  Once Gharida Farooqi, couldn’t even leave home for many months following the hatred campaign of trolls who were calling her a traitor. Recently she was again subjected to wave of sexist slurs, defamation and hateful comments after she interviewed Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umer Sheikh, who was criticized over his victim-balming remarks involving a gang-rape victim. Another prominent journalist who went through a lot is undoubtedly Marvi Sirmed. Over the years Marvi experienced sexist comments, rape and death threats, publication of her private data, photos or accusations of blasphemy to mention just a few. These attacks go way beyond the online sphere. There were break-ins into her apartment and once her house was set on fire. 

The patriarchal mindset impregnated in the social structure takes its tragic toll on women in Pakistan. Journalist and editor Shaheena Shaheen Baloch was shot to unsurvivable injuries. The assasination was linked to domestic violence and something called “honor-killing”. 

9. Major events in 2020

2020 has been a challenging year for press freedom and women journalists have been on the rising front of this development. We encountered a rise in misinformation focused on Covid19 outbreak, elections in several countries including the United States, and a series of protests that sparked across the world. In almost every corner of the world we have witnessed an expedited crackdown on human rights and notorious examples of violence towards civilians and media workers. The growing hostile environment was predominantly fueled by the global pandemic crisis. In 2020, The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has followed all these developments monitoring safety of women journalists and we have found an exponential rise in press freedom violations against women journalists.

Covid-19

The coronavirus has infected around 65.3 million people and caused more than 1.51 million deaths. The global scale of this pandemic has forced countries around the world to take serious measures, including closing borders and imposing quarantines. This has increased multidimensional challenges to the journalists who are reporting on this story, from all across the world. In addition to tackling the very mechanical side of reporting stories connected to Covid-19; from the impact on human life to overwhelming medical systems around the world to how this pandemic is challenging countries to offer better governance, journalists are yet again on the front line. Whether they report in quarantine, from behind a desk or from the street covering life at large, the risk of safety for these reporters demands a vigorously thoughtful approach. 

On March 30, longtime CBS journalist Maria Mercader died in a New York hospital after contracting Covid-19. She was fighting cancer and other related illnesses for 20 years. For Maria, the deadly virus proved to be fatal. It is alarming that COVID-19 is more threatening for those who are already struggling to survive due to chronic illnesses.

Journalists have been dealing with an unprecedented level of difficulties since the Covid-19 outbreak. The spread of this pandemic has had a deep impact on everyone in the field — whether they are covering it or not. After talking to a few female journalists, it was clear that they definitely have it worse.

Photo Credit: AFP

Karachi-based unnamed woman journalist says she has faced transport issues, even before the Covid-19 threat. "My organization doesn’t provide transport to everyone. I don’t own a car so I’ve been dependent on Uber and Careem or Airlift — all of which have suspended operations because of the pandemic. How am I supposed to keep going to work?” she asks.

The current challenges that women journalists face are very similar in different countries. Authorities in Turkey have long been notorious for their treatment of women journalists inside jails. Instead of ensuring the safety and hygiene of its prisoners, Turkish authorities instituted a clampdown on news regarding Covid-19. Many journalists, including women, have borne the brunt of being persecuted for their coronavirus coverage.

In Serbia, Nova.rs reporter Ana Lalić was arrested on April 2, for reporting on Covid-19. She was accused of “causing public unrest and damaging a hospital’s reputation” after she reported on the lack of medical supplies and equipment for its staff. After being interrogated at a local police station in Vojvodina, Ana was released the next morning.

CFWIJ kept a check on women journalists and the risks and threats they face because of Covid-19. The pandemic has made reportage a complicated affair and visual journalists face enormous risk because unlike other forms of reporting their work cannot be handled remotely. In the United Kingdom, ELLE UK put out a request for a female photojournalist/documentary photographer asking for work in exchange for a “small fee” and “expenses”. At a time where freelancers are struggling to maintain their incomes while worrying about their physical and mental wellbeing, this was a very disappointing request from such a large media group. 

In India and Pakistan, the pandemic has put the industry into additional stress resulting in serious financial issues for women journalists working in the two countries. In India, several women journalists have been laid off or have taken pay cuts. The pressure from the recent fallout is such that many continue their work for fear of losing whatever is left of their jobs.

Pakistan’s women journalists are no strangers to not being paid on time. In most media houses salaries are already delayed by months, and Covid-19 has made things worse.

Women journalists are reporting on Covid-19 from across the world. These journalists are reporting on the story either from quarantine or on the front lines. CFWIJ created a map which editors, newsrooms looking to hire freelancers in any region can find them on. Journalists can follow these women on the ground and follow their work. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has identified 317 women journalists reporting on Covid-19 from the frontlines as of December 9. 

CFWIJ created a dedicated page on COVID-19 which includes threats that women journalists may be facing because of their coronavirus-related reportage, guideline section to keep in mind for reporters who are covering the pandemic, frontline advice by women journalists who are reporting on the ground and resources.  

#BlackLivesMatter protests

Demonstrations sparked across the US after a black man, George Floyd, was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These protests began to demand justice for George and many other black people killed due to racial discrimination, to defund the police, and to ensure racial justice. With police forces deployed at protest sites across the country, journalists on the ground remain vulnerable to violence, arrest and censorship. Hundreds of journalists reported to have faced attempts at censorship, verbal and physical attacks, blatant threats and police violence while reporting the demonstrations - not just in the US but globally. Many of them arrested while on duty, while black journalists - said to be more prone to these threats - have also been targeted.

While covering the protests in the United States, at least 18 women journalists were subjected to police attack, ten female reporters were arrested or detained, three of them were harassed, two reporters were attacked by civilians and two were impeded at work. In total, at least 35 women journalists were subjected to different kinds of threats and violence.

CBS5 reporter Briana Whitney was attacked by a civilian man on live television while reporting on protests outside Phoenix Police Department headquarters on May 29. Briana Whitney is an Arizona based reporter who has worked tirelessly to give a voice to those who don’t have one. Whitney was broadcasting live when a man ran towards her, tackling her while grabbing her microphone and shouting profanities at the microphone.

Photo Credit: CNN

Louisville based news agency WLKY’s crew was senselessly attacked on May 29 while covering the protests downtown. This is just one of the incidents that showcase the dangers that journalists are willing to face to document an outpouring of anger, frustration and, in some cases, senseless opportunistic violence. While a crowd swarmed the news crew photographer Paul Ammann was knocked to the ground, laughed at and photographed. Reporter Deni Kamper later stated that she was safe.

Australian Channel 7 News US correspondent Amelia Brace and her crew were assaulted by the police on June 1 outside of the White House. Brace and her crew were reporting live on the peaceful protests when police in riot gear moved in to clear the protesters from the area about 6:25 pm Monday (local time) before the curfew at 7:00 pm. Brace was clubbed with a truncheon and cameraman Tim Myers hit with a riot shield and punched in the face by the police in Washington DC's Lafayette Square.

Protests that began in Minnesota on May 26 following the murder of George Floyd have spread across the United States, unleashing another problematic issue: attacks on freedom of the press. BuzzFeed News reporter Brianna Sacks was detained by Santa Monica police while documenting protests in Santa Monica, California, on May 31, 2020.

Sarah Belle Lin, reporter and photojournalist, was hit in the thigh by a rubber bullet fired by police while covering protests in Oakland, California, on May 31st. “I was hit by the police in the inner thighs. I am injured. I repeated my First Amendment rights,” said the reporter in a Twitter message. Lin was left severely bruised after the attack by the Contra Costa County police forces.

Des Moines police arrested Register reporter Andrea Sahouri on Sunday while she was covering a demonstration at Merle Hay Mall on June 1st. Sahouri was live-tweeting from the ground when police started attacking the protesters with tear gas, she stopped to help a protester that was hit by a gas canister.

On May 31, Mehtap Yılmaz and her crew were covering demonstrators at the middle entrance to St. John’s Church, in Lafayette Square near the White House, when police suddenly charged at them. Yilmaz said police raised batons toward them as officers forcibly moved the crew and others, despite the VOA team identifying themselves as news media.

CFWIJ identified many other cases of violence against women journalists in the United States.  Women journalists across the US report on the front lines of the #BLM protests. CFWIJ's dedicated map features both full-time and freelance journalists, who can be reached out for analysis or have work commissioned by editors and newsrooms. The Coalition For Women In Journalism identified at least 130 female reporters on #BlackLivesMatter protests in the frontlines.

Hungary: Is this the end of an era?

Hungary’s only left authentic news organization has been shaken by an ordeal that stinks of censorship.

More than 70 journalists, 20 of them women, walked out of the Index headquarters on Friday, July 24 en mass resignation to protest the arbitrary dismissal of editor-in-chief Szabolcs Dull. The decision was taken by the president of the board of Index.hu, László Bodolai. We hear from our sources, there has been a political intervention. CFWIJ listed 20 resigned women journalists and launched a Twitter campaign.

Photo Credit: Index

Index had expressed concern about their independence a few months ago when Miklos Vaszily, a pro-Orban businessman, bought 50% of shares of Index's advertising and revenue. It was then that the team under Szabolcs moved their status as “in danger” from “independent” in their “press freedom barometer”.

The Orban government and its predecessors have been playing a rather “unique” way in silencing the media in Hungary for nearly a decade. Instead of blatantly shutting down opponent news outlets, as we see in much of Eastern Europe, dissolving the critical nature of independent media through economic pressure has been their tactic.

Beirut Blast

On August 4, multiple explosions wrecked havoc near the port of Lebanon’s capital city Beirut. The damage, caused by approximately 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate, estimates up to $5 billion. According to officials, more than 100 people were killed due to the blasts and around 4,000 were injured. At least 300,000 people have been left homeless after this catastrophic incident. Women journalists in Beirut have been reporting on the ground since the explosions ripped through the city. Some of them have also sustained injuries and received first aid before getting back to work.

Photo Credit: Mohamed Azakir — Reuters

Beirut explosions that killed more than 150 people and wounded thousands caused destruction of businesses, shops and newsrooms as well as tearing through homes. While at least 12 women journalists based in Beirut were injured as a result of the explosion, 11 female journalists who report despite hardships had to evacuate their homes due to the damage. CFWIJ also listed at least 54 women journalists on the ground reporting on the Beirut blasts amid the destruction, injuries and limited resources.

Major online trolling campaigns in Pakistan

Pakistan remains to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women journalists. Aside from the glass ceiling and government intervention, women journalists in Pakistan are encountering vicious social media attacks, doxing, and hacking attempts by accounts affiliated to the ruling party and conservative, right-wing elements in the country. Such deplorable acts further draw our attention to the grim environment against women journalists and press freedom.

Online attacks against Pakistani women journalists have been an ongoing notorious trend. CFWIJ identified 67 cases of online attacks against women reporters in the country and searched accounts of women journalists who are constantly being harassed by various troll accounts to determine what kind of vicious assaults they are facing on a daily day basis. 

CFWIJ joined hands with Pakistani women journalists in a campaign to combat online violence and hacking attempts against them. In 2019, CFWIJ’s delegation - including Pakistani women journalists - met with the country’s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari to raise and discuss this issue in detail. During the meeting, she assured to take steps against those involved in the vile act of online harassment. We did see some improvements in the problem for a while but this year the trolling is back. We urge her to take action against the online attacks that women journalists continue to face.

Belarus Protests

Following the allegedly falsified election results which put “Europe’s last dictator” Alexander Lukashenko to power once again, Belarus began to tighten its grip on journalists. 

Aleksandr Lukashenko, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 26 years, declared an early victory in the presidential elections held on August 9 in Belarus. The Election Commission, accused of acting in favor of Lukashenko, reported that the 65-year-old current president received 80.23 percent of the votes

Belarusian Association of Journalists documented over 100 cases of detention of journalists since August 9. Detained journalists were kept in horrifying conditions, raising concern globally. The journalists were also beaten and some were deliberately targeted with rubber bullets.

Photo Credit: Volha Shukaila

The Coalition For Women In Journalism followed the events unfold with great concern. While women journalists are not the sole target in the protests, the attacks against them must be recognized as women's contribution in the whole Eastern Europe region is very powerful. Since the beginning of protests, we documented at least 20 women journalists detained with three of them having their accreditation revoked.

Belarus, where the situation of freedom of the press is miserable, even worse than in Russia according to the RSF listing, has also sought to block people from accessing numerous websites. Women journalists amidst the attempts of censorship and silencing of the people’s voices are risking their lives to tell the whole world about the reality of which the official media in Belarus are silent. Many of the iconic images that capture the dramatic events in Minsk are made by female photographers while women journalists were among the first ones to expose the excruciating torture at detention centers. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism signed a joint statement with other international organizations calling for the EU agencies to reintroduce sanctions against Belarus given the deterioration of freedom of the press in the country. 

This report was developed with the support of The Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

• Data, Writer and Researcher: Damla Tarhan, Katarzyna Mierzejewska, Ceren Iskit

• Sub Editing: Kathleen Gannon

• Executive Editor: Kiran Nazish

• Design: Damla Tarhan

 If you would like to request more insight into our findings, or would like to suggest an addition to our work reach out to us at data@womeninjournalism.org. For media inquiries reach out to us at press@womeninjournalism.org.