Canada: CFWIJ Calls For Action To Protect Journalists Against Online Violence and Trolling
Location: Canada, Charlottetown
Date: January 7, 2023
It is alarming that women journalists in Canada continue to be the target of threatening messages because of their job. Global News journalist Teresa Wright is just the last example. More and more journalists are on the receiving end of daily messages of harassment and death threats online. CFWIJ stands in solidarity with Teresa Wright and calls on Twitter to take necessary actions to protect women journalists from this parsing and dangerous language. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy, and it is essential for journalists to be able to do their jobs without fearing for their safety and well-being.
On January 7, journalist Teresa Wright shared on her Twitter account a number of threatening emails sent to her recently. In her tweet, she said, “I get several of these kinds of emails almost every day. I’m going to start sharing them, so people can see the results of the weaponization of anger and misinformation for political gain has done. I shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. You all should see this too.”
I get several of these kinds of emails almost every day.
— Teresa Wright (@ReporterTeresa) January 7, 2023
I’m going to start sharing them, so people can see the results of the weaponization of anger and misinformation for political gain has done.
I shouldn’t have to deal with this alone.
You all should see this too. pic.twitter.com/PBmVaXwUc4
Two weeks ago, Wright was a guest on Saltwire, a podcast hosted by Sheldon Macleod, where the journalist talked about a big shift in the last two years in how women in the media are treated on social media platforms and increasingly in real life interactions in Canada.
Wright said that the kind of messages, "whether it's direct replies visible to anyone, whether it's direct messages, emails; it's very nasty, it's gendered, it's misogynistic. I've received death threats."
Wright continues by saying that more and more women journalists are being attacked in the same manner.
"I don't mind taking criticism when people take issue with my journalism, but when the comments are about me as a human [being], I'm not going to put up with that anymore," adds Wright.
Although Wright has reported cases to social media platforms, "generally speaking that has not been effective, even in death threats," says the journalist.
Wright adds that she has reported cases to the police as well, but that no measures are usually taken regarding social media threats. This showcases a huge hole in the law system. Even though laws exist when it comes to cyberbullying, the way they are applied by law enforcement and crown attorneys is the main reason these cases get stalled. The increase in harassment and death threat cases is frightening and the leniency in dealing with these cases is frustrating and alarmingly dangerous. "It is only a matter of time before someone is targeted in real life and it feels inevitable," says Wright.
This is not the first time CFWIJ has documented online harassment against women journalists in Canada recently. Journalist Rachel Gilmore is another target of vitriolic rhetoric spewed against women journalists. In a recent tweet, it is quite apparent that no measures have been taken to prevent the persistent online trolling of women journalists.
On July 7, 2022, Gilmore became the target of an organized online trolling campaign. Canadian politician Pierre Poilievre who has served as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the leader of the Official Opposition declared her “unprofessional” and then issued a statement in which his team wrote about dwindling faith in the Canadian media and Global News being a liberal mouthpiece of the Trudeau government. CFWIJ has reported on Gilmore on a few different occasions.
Award-winning journalist, co-host and producer of the Toronto Star's daily news podcast "This Matters'' has been on the receiving end of a number of chilling emails. Eitizaz reached out to CFWIJ in efforts to sound the alarm on the alerting case. Unfortunately, this is not a new occurrence for the journalist. CFWIJ has found and reported Eitizaz being targeted several times with organized trolling campaigns.
CFWIJ, along with 46 leading journalists’ associations and media outlets, has signed an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking for an end to increasing cases of online harassment and violent threats against women journalists and journalists of color in the country.
It is quite alarming that we still document such cases. In our latest campaign, we raise concerns about the increasing number of women journalists in Canada being targeted with vile, misogynistic language.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in full support and solidarity with Teresa Wright and all women journalists in Canada targeted for simply doing their job in disseminating information and keeping the public informed on topics that affect their daily lives. We call on Twitter to enforce stronger anti-cyberbullying regulations and prohibit organized online trolling campaigns. We also call on the Canadian government to take the necessary steps and measures in protecting women journalists' safety and their right to press freedom. Democracy cannot withstand otherwise.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.