Canada: CFWIJ Condemns The Hateful Trolling Against Natasha Fatah
Location: Canada
Date: July 5, 2021
Natasha Fatah, host and reporter for CBC News, endured vicious trolling by an anonymous account who wished cancer on her and her father in a tweet. The journalist responded that she deals with her fair share of trolling, but the latest comments might be a new low. CFWIJ condemns the toxic trend of online trolling targeting women journalists. We stand in solidarity with Natasha and denounce the hateful online attack against her.
The anonymous troll tweeted his reply under a tweet of Andrea Housten, a journalist and Queer Media instructor at Ryerson University journalism school. Andrea criticized Natasha’s take on climate change as a natural phenomenon. Andrea’s comments did not initiate hate against the journalist, but an anonymous account followed with malicious remarks targeting Natasha and her family.
Yikes. CBC’s Natasha Fatah perpetuating the rightwing talking point that climate change is just a natural phenomenon. “This is an ongoing debate, whether it’s fueled by human activity, if we’re doing anything to accelerate it, or if this is the natural ebb and flow of the planet”
— Andrea Houston (@dreahouston) July 3, 2021
Andrea replied and confronted the online assailant for his hateful comment. In response, Natasha tweeted, “I deal with my fair share of trolling but wishing cancer on me and my dad- might be a new low.” Several journalists and media colleagues also replied to the thread in her support.
I deal with my fair share of trolling and hate but wishing cancer on me and my dad - might be a new low. https://t.co/h85goU7QUO
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) July 3, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the cruel attacks on women journalists. We believe the internet should be a safe space for its users, with mechanisms in place to combat the vicious trolls who attack women journalists.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
