Canada: Saba Eitizaz Targeted With Online Hate Amid Spike In Populist Racist Right-Wing Rhetoric On “Canada Day”

Location: Canada, Toronto

Date: July 8, 2022

With right-wing sentiments on the rise while the country commemorates “Canada Day” last week, women journalists of color were once again forced to navigate increased digital hostilities. Saba Eitizaz, co-host and producer of Toronto Star show “This Matters” was targeted with online hate. The perpetrator directed racially charged vile and sexist abuse at the journalist via email on Canada Day” - July 1, 2022. Even as the Canadian government claims to celebrate the country’s migrant population and multicultural diversity, right wing populist leaders have been weaponizing racist and nationalistic rhetoric against women journalists of color in recent years rendering them susceptible to attacks, especially in the digital sphere. The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support to Saba and demands immediate action to secure digital spaces for women journalists. 

Saba posted on Twitter a screenshot of the email she was sent. The award-winning journalist was accused of spreading “left-wing, extremist satan talk” by the sender who directed racially charged sexist slurs at her.

According to Saba, a background search revealed that the sender belongs to the same group of organized online trolls who have targeted her and other women journalists of color repeatedly since last year. Find the CFWIJ’s detailed coverage of online attacks on women journalists in Canada here. 

“Happy Canada Day”.
TW: Graphic hate speech pic.twitter.com/Ls5RRya93r

— Saba Eitizaz (@sabaeitizaz) July 1, 2022

I did a comparative analysis for the last batch too; it’s definitely the same group/individual. I guess they’re celebrating their special day.

— Saba Eitizaz (@sabaeitizaz) July 1, 2022

The repeated attacks on Saba and other women journalists are deeply concerning as online threats may seem harmless but they can, and do, quickly translate into physical attacks.

Such widespread intimidation of journalists is not only unethical but also criminal. Especially when the threats contain hateful rhetoric targeting the race, gender and sexual orientation of these journalists. 

Since 2021, attacks on women journalists from ethnic backgrounds have increased amid the rise of populist right-wing nationalism. The CFWIJ has documented spikes in online hate directed at women journalists of color when such nationalists leaders incite their supporters and ahead of events such as the Ottawa trucker protests or “Canada Day” - the country’s national day, commemorated on July 1 to mark the Canada’s independence from Great Britain in 1867. Celebrations have been resisted and criticized by those who call attention to the history and oppression of Indigenous peoples. They call for truth and reconciliation instead, for the crimes committed against aboriginal people as well as recognition for the suppression they face even today. 

Saba believes that journalists of color have been targeted more frequently in connection with the racially charged atmosphere since Canada’s election season last year.The vitriol is worse on social media where trolls can hide behind anonymity. 

Online trolling has significant impacts on mental health as an onsalught of abuse, death and rape threats takes a toll on women journalists who are just trying to do their jobs. It can swiftly escalate with serious consequences for those targeted. Online violence can manifest into physical violence, including home invasions, assault and murder. 

As Saba is vocal about the threats she receives she is often dismissed by white men who try to equate the attacks on her with the threatening emails they get. The “Block and move on'' is a Band-Aid solution to a systemic and ongoing problem against women journalists. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Saba Eitizaz and other women journalists of color facing hostilities for simply doing their jobs. The Canadian authorities' lack of response to these attacks stands not only in stark contrast to the multiculturalism that the country boasts of but also severely undermines democratic principles and press freedom. We’ve been following ongoing online attacks on women journalists in Canada with great concern. The CFWIJ registers strong protest against such attacks and calls on both the Canadian authorities and social media conglomerates to ensure safety of women journalists online. The perpetrators must be held to account! 

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.