Location: Canada
Date: January 20, 2021

reporter Krista Sharpe posted a video of her experience with harassment on her Twitter account. In the recording, she is seen filming a broadcast in downtown Kitchener when a car drives past her, hurling vulgar insults. Sharpe was very disturbed by the uncalled for, hurtful insults. According to the police, they have started their investigation and are looking for the car seen in the footage. CFWIJ is dismayed by the public harassment Krista suffered. We offer her our full support and urge authorities to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions. No journalist should be intimidated nor harassed in such a manner.

CTV reporter Krista Sharpe posted the video on her Twitter account with the caption, “This is not funny and it’s not cool. As much as I’d love to say it doesn’t bother me, it does. It makes me feel like sh*t. Especially as VJ who is always alone. This still happens to female reporters everywhere and it needs to stop.” Krista was visibly upset by the incident, unable to continue, needing to collect herself.

The video posted on Twitter was widely retweeted. Many notable people offered their support to Krista and commended her courage. They defended journalists’ rights to broadcast without fear, noting their importance as the people bringing stories to the newsrooms.

Regional police officer Bryan Larkin said that he requested the officers to investigate the vulgar insults directed at the journalist. Larkin said in a tweet, “this incident is unacceptable, vulgar and offensive. No one should be subjected to hate and bullying within the workplace.”

Another CTV journalist Penny Deflos also came forward to offer her support, replying to Krista’s video, “this is harassment at the workplace and should be handled the same way as a postal worker or teacher or healthcare worker faced with such comments. Journalists do our work in public but that doesn't mean that abuse of any kind should be tolerated. I'm sorry you had to deal with this.”

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Krista Sharpe and hopes that authorities shall soon identify the individuals who insulted her. We hope that appropriate measures are taken to ensure such unfortunate events will not happen again. We offer our full support to all the women journalists reporting on the field and appreciate their dedication to the job.

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.