India: Haseena Shaik Endures Online Harassment After Interview with Former Minister

Incident reflects a broader, worrying trend where women journalists face heightened online harassment aimed at undermining their credibility and journalistic integrity

Location: India, Andhra Pradesh
Date: January 14, 2024

The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the reprehensible online sexual harassment targeting Indian journalist Haseena Shaik. This harassment directed at the reporter of TV9, a Telugu-language news channel, reflects a troubling disregard for the safety and respect of women journalists. Her attempt to address the issue of biased coverage through appropriate channels has been overlooked, and she has instead been subjected to character assassination. This attack is also part of a broader, alarming trend in India where women journalists face disproportionate online harassment, such as Rana Ayyub, who has similarly been subjected to such attacks aimed at undermining their credibility and journalistic rigor. We stand in solidarity with Haseena Shaik. We urge the authorities to take immediate action against those perpetrating this harassment. The online vitriol targeting Shaik is not only harmful to her but also poses a broader risk to women and LGBTQI journalists. Their safety online directly impacts their physical security and their ability to report freely and fearlessly.

Shaik, a reporter for TV9, a Telugu-language news channel, became a victim of relentless online harassment following her coverage of a festive event in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on January 14, 2024. Her professional conduct, which included riding pillion on a bike with former minister Kodali Nani for an interview, was unscrupulously twisted and misrepresented online. 

According to The News Minute, an India digital news platform, reported that several TDP members, including Sistla Lohith, the party’s state organizing secretary, publicly criticized Shaik on X, formerly Twitter, for her news segment, which was aired on the same day reporting the festivity with Nani also collaborating for its semi-scripted presentation. The journalist was following the politician from one location to another, which is why she opted for pillion riding for the coverage, Shaik told the publication.

“I have been working with TV9 since 2005. There is a general feeling among TDP supporters that TV9 doesn’t grant proper coverage to their party, because of which they are targeting me. The worrying part is that official handles of small scale TDP leaders also reposted the video with such tweets,” she said in an interview to The News Minute.

Shaik added that the party can take up the issue of the allegedly “biased coverage” with the management, rather than targeting her for her work.

“I have reported on important issues like the Kedarnath floods and the Ukraine war and have never supported any one party in my coverage,” the journalist says. “I will now complain to the AP Mahila Commission and to the National Commission for Women. This issue needs to be addressed.” 

The harassment of Shaik coincides with a string of disturbing incidents involving women journalists across the country. One such incident occurred in Kozhikode, Kerala, where a woman journalist filed a complaint against actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi for sexual harassment. The police have launched an investigation. In another shocking incident, Odia film producer Sanjay Nayak, also known as Tutu Nayak, was arrested for slapping and abusing journalist Debasmita Rout. 

Other incidents reported by CFWIJ include online threats against journalists like Astha Rajvanshi by supporters of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a disturbing incident where a dead cat was left on the doorstep of journalist Swati Chaturvedi following a smear campaign by a Member of Parliament. Rana Ayyub, a vocal critic of the current government and a prominent journalist, has faced an onslaught of online and physical threats, including rape and death threats, as part of a sustained campaign of slander and misinformation. 

The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom vehemently denounces the targeted online sexual harassment of Indian journalist Haseena Shaik. This incident is not only a gross violation of journalistic integrity, but also a clear manifestation of gender-based discrimination and violence against women in media. No journalist should ever be discriminated against, particularly because of their gender, as they have the right to fulfill their duties without any threats of retaliation or fear of character assassination. The harmful narrative being spewed against Shaik is dangerous with regard to the work women and LGBTQI journalists do on the ground, as the lack of safety for them online can transcend into their physical spaces as well. We demand that the harassment meted out to Shaik online be looked into, and action must be taken against those involved in the act.

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 women 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.