Canada: Surge of Threats Target Journalist Saba Eitizaz Amid Israel-Gaza War
RCMP is aware of the threats, but no action has been taken as of yet
Location: Canada, Toronto
Date: October 18, 2023
Esteemed journalist Saba Eitizaz faces a distressing surge of Islamophobic threats online, including explicit plans of physical harm. These organized attacks have persisted for three years and show no signs of abating. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been made aware of the cases. No action has been taken, however. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns this harassment and verbal abuse. We express deep concern over the increasing number of women journalists in Canada targeted with online hate speech. We denounce the lack of action by authorities and demand they thoroughly investigate these threats and diligently pursue the perpetrators until justice is served.
"Even as a conflict zone journalist with valuable insights to offer on Palestine-Israel coverage, I am forced to weigh the potential backlash against the importance of my work," expresses prominent journalist Saba Eitizaz to CFWIJ about the recent surge of Islamophobic hate she has been targeted with online.
Don’t look away. Read what has been normalized — by many I thought were allies— for those that look like me. This is how violence is visited upon Black and brown hearts, minds and souls. pic.twitter.com/paOuwTVnQq
— Saba Eitizaz (@sabaeitizaz) October 18, 2023
These hateful incidents have escalated following Israel's siege of Gaza in response to Hamas' unexpected deadly attacks on October 7.
The last threat she received by email followed a tweet from Canadian entrepreneur Anthony Koch, blaming Canada’s Pakistani Muslims for the majority of anti-semitism in the country. According to Eitizaz, other women journalists received the same hate mail.
I can't post the latest hateful threatening email for reasons that I have no control over but would like to share that it arrived in the inboxes of several journalists within hours of Anthony Koch's tweet. @atRachelGilmore https://t.co/UIcprf8eWE
— Saba Eitizaz (@sabaeitizaz) October 23, 2023
Ongoing Targeted and Organized Threats
In recent years, a disturbing trend of digital hate, threats, and abuse has plagued journalists, particularly women journalists of color, in Canada. This wave of violence, fueled by Islamophobia and exacerbated by biased coverage of the Gaza war, has left its victims traumatized and fearful for their safety.
“The impact of such relentless abuse is not limited to mental and emotional trauma; it also manifests as physical distress”
Eitizaz has been subjected to persistent hate for the third year in a row. “The barrage of dehumanizing, vile, misogynistic, and racist language that lands directly in my email inbox feels like a violation of my very being,” the journalist tells CFWIJ. “The impact of such relentless abuse is not limited to mental and emotional trauma; it also manifests as physical distress.”
“I am in exile because of threats from [my home country] Pakistan. And now to receive the same kind of highly sexualized abuse and threats in Canada as well where I came to be safe is obviously very disturbing,” Eitizaz told CFWIJ last year.
Statistically, Canada stood in 2022 as the country with the highest number of women journalists targeted by organized troll campaigns. A staggering 25% of all organized troll campaigns in 2022 occurred in Canada, prompting the CFWIJ to initiate the "End Violence Against Women Journalists In Canada" campaign. CFWIJ sent an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, co-signed by 46 leading journalists' associations and media outlets, to end this disconcerting trend.
Role of the Media
The targeted harassment predominantly affects women journalists of color, particularly those most vulnerable, resulting from Canada's unchecked rise of far-right hate and white supremacist narratives. Mainstream media, political figures, and even the international community have contributed to this "othering" of a community, reducing them to mere punching bags.
“Within our newsroom, we have witnessed the use of problematic language and dehumanizing tropes that not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also strip an entire group of people of their humanity”
"Within our newsroom, we have witnessed the use of problematic language and dehumanizing tropes that not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also strip an entire group of people of their humanity," says Eitizaz.
The level of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators, coupled with the lack of action from law enforcement and tech companies, exacerbates the crisis. As we have witnessed, the more digital violence goes unpunished, the more likely it is to spill over into real-life violence. Regrettably, Canada seems to be reaching that tipping point, where someone is bound to suffer physical harm soon.
This climate of fear has also led the Toronto Star journalist to self-censorship, as she finds herself second-guessing every online post or commentary she makes.
“The fear of what could happen next has forced me to be hyper-vigilant in the aftermath of reporting on sensitive stories, constantly bracing myself for the consequences”
"The looming specter of death threats, abuse, and severe consequences casts a shadow over every decision I make." explains Eitizaz to CFWIJ. “The fear of what could happen next has forced me to be hyper-vigilant in the aftermath of reporting on sensitive stories, constantly bracing myself for the consequences.”
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) expresses unwavering solidarity with Saba Eitizaz and other women journalists of color who have encountered hostility while fulfilling their journalistic duties in Canada. These women, dedicated to shedding light on critical issues, are attacked for their commitment to truth and integrity. The lack of a robust response from Canadian authorities to these attacks is disheartening and raises concerns about the nation's commitment to democratic principles and press freedom. The very essence of Canada's multicultural identity is grounded in the idea of inclusivity and acceptance of diverse perspectives. These attacks on women journalists of color challenge the very values that Canada holds dear and undermine the nation's reputation on the global stage.
The CFWIJ has been closely monitoring the alarming trend of online attacks targeting women journalists in Canada. These attacks, often laced with vitriol and harassment, create a hostile environment that stifles journalism and suppresses voices that need to be heard. We call upon Canadian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety of women journalists online. Perpetrators of such attacks must be held accountable for their actions. Freedom of expression and a thriving press landscape are pillars of democracy, and protecting journalists is paramount to preserving these democratic principles.
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.