Lebanon: Dima Sadek Face Death Threatened By Hezbollah Supporters Through Organized Troll Campaign

Threats
Written By 
Location: Lebanon
Date: August 13, 2022

Dima Sadek, an MTV anchor, who is often targeted by Hezbollah supporters, has been subjected to a new wave of harassment and threats, online attacks, and organized troll campaign after prominent Hezbollah leaders exposed them to doxing and incited their followers to intimidate her. Dima and this intimidation attempt against her is one of around 30 other journalists who have been the targets of such methods since the Beirut port explosion two years ago. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) expresses grave concern over threats to Dima and relentless online attacks on her; we call for swift measures to ensure her safety. We stress that digital violence against women journalists might quickly translate into physical violence.

On 13 August, Dima was subjected to this new wave of threats after satirical tweeting about the attempt on the life of British-American novelist Salman Rushdie in the United States and Iran's role in it. The tweet was titled on his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses. The tweet was attached to Iran's first Supreme Leader's photo, Ayatollah Khomeini, besides Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the elite Revolutionary Guards unit, who was murdered in 2020 by a US drone strike.

Jawad Nasrallah, son of this Hezbollah party leader, Hassan Nasrallah and a member of the Shia party in Lebanon, retweeted Dima's tweet and targeted her directly. Nasrallah accuses Dima of being a "tool" of foreign governments.

 
 

In addition to another attack from a Lebanon singer and author of many hymns to Hezbollah’s praise. Ali Barakat called Hezbollah’s supporters to start a troll campaign against Dima by tweeting: “Everyone who believes that Khomeini and Soleimani are sacred will know what to do with Dima Sadek.”.

Shortly, dones of Hezbollah’s activists and supporters started threatening her with rape, murder and other forms of violence against Dima as she tweeted. Dima, who is a Shia Muslim journalist who has consistently criticised the Shia party Hezbollah, officially informed the Lebanese authorities.

“This is the first time I feel I am in danger,” Dima told the AP; she mentioned that she is restricting her movements for the first time as well. Dima alleged that the troll campaign against her was orchestrated by the Hezbollah leader’s son. Dima has been the target of intermittent threats ever since the start of a big wave of anti-government protests in 2019.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) stands in solidarity with Dima Sadek; we express grave worry over threats to her. The CFWIJ lament this wave of hatred against journalists in Lebanon being unleashed and involved by Hezbollah leaders and activists. The CFWIJ urge the Lebanese authorities to protect Dima and other journalists and investigate the intimidation they were subjected to; we stress that digital violent threats often lead to physical violence.

 

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.

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