India: Pakistani Sports Presenter Zainab Abbas Flees India Amid Right-Wing Threats
Zainab fled from India to Dubai, leaving behind her professional commitment to hosting the tournament, feeling scared and intimidated
Location: Pakistan, Lahore
Date: October 9 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern about the attacks on Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas, who has been subjected to alarming levels of online harassment and legal challenges while reporting in India on the men’s cricket World Cup 2023. The fact that Zainab felt compelled to leave India for Dubai, abandoning her professional duties due to fear and intimidation, is a testament to the severity of these threats. Zainab's case is a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face, particularly when past remarks are exploited to fuel targeted harassment and legal actions. This not only undermines their professional integrity but also poses significant threats to their safety.
Pakistani sports journalist Zainab Abbas has left India — where she was reporting on the men’s cricket World Cup 2023 — after right-wing trolls weaponized old social media posts by the reporter, to generate anger and hatred. Following a barrage of online harassment, a Delhi-based lawyer filed a lawsuit against the reporter. The reporter said the harassment made her feel “intimidated and scared by the reaction that was unfolding online.”
“Even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired,” Abbas wrote on Twitter after fleeing to Dubai from India.
In the post, Abbas also apologized for her old posts, which contained anti-Hindu language.
“I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today. There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended.”
The organized online harassment that followed attempted to discredit the reporter and threatened her life.
Abbas’ case garnered the attention of Pakistan’s Foreign Office, which condemned the filing of an "unwarranted" case against her in India. The Foreign Ministry denounced the lawsuit, stressing the need to protect journalists and their right to work in other countries without feeling threatened or having their safety jeopardized.
Abbas’ experience underlines the worrying trend of attacking journalists based on their past statements, which they may have made from a place of lesser understanding and learning of different ideas. This phenomenon, however, threatens their well-being and safety in the present, when they have grown into a changed and mature person.
This year alone, CFWIJ documented 11 cases of online harassment, 18 organized troll camps, 67 instances of threats and intimidation, and 67 legal harassment cases. The deep-seated right-wing sentiments in India make it a hotbed for online troll campaigns and organized harassment of journalists, where they are often subjected to abuse and threats online.
Earlier this year, CFWIJ recorded the incessant online abuse and death threats faced by Indian journalist Thulasi Chandu at the hands of Hindu right-wing trolls for her critical journalism.
Among CFWIJ’s previously documented cases, investigative journalist Rana Ayyub’s frequent targeting by right-wing trolls and harassers online, which remains a grave example of the impact of the threat as she was not only doxed but deepfake porn videos were widely spread aimed to stifle her. A 2023 report by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) stated that Ayyub received abuse online every 14 seconds.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the attacks and targeted harassment. While disrespect to different beliefs and opinions is objectionable, people must be given the opportunity to clarify their position and express their opinions without the fear of retaliation. Their safety, in particular, should be prioritized the most. We call on the relevant authorities in India to thoroughly probe into the organized online harassment that Abbas was subjected to and take necessary legal action against those involved in fueling hatred against her.
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.