Northern Cyprus: CFWIJ Condemns Hate Speech Against Journalist Esra Aygin
Location: Northern Cyprus, Nicosia
Date: January 16, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
Cypriot journalist and correspondent of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Esra Aygın became the target of online smear campaigns for criticizing the President of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar on her social media account. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns these deliberate attacks against Aygın and demands the Cypriot authorities to respect freedom of expression. We urge authorities to take legal action against suspects who issue death threats against the journalist.
Esra was targeted in an online smear campaign after posting her views about North Cyprus President Ersin Tatar on her Twitter account. She expressed to President Tatar to fulfil his responsibilities as ahead of the state, providing with COVID-19 vaccines. The journalist said, “You cannot risk the health of the public just because you will play sovereignty, Mr Ersin Tatar. To be a state, to be a statesman, to be a President means to work for the well-being, welfare and health of their people. You are not aware of the weight and responsibility of your duty."
In response to the journalist's post, President Tatar targeted the journalist. Tatar said, "Cheap and undignified, you should do better, at least keep quiet and give us a chance”
After the president's response, Esra Aygın was encountered by many online attacks. The journalist revealed online trollers’ social media accounts and received death threats. Esra Aygın, who is the victim of the hate speech, was a former reporter for international media outlets such as Associated Press (AP) and Bloomberg. The journalist is also a human rights defender in Cyprus.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the hate speech against journalist Esra Aygın. We urge President Ersin Tatar and his authorities to stop targeting journalists. Online smear campaigns to intimidate journalists can carry severe and vital consequences. We demand legal action against the trollers who initiated a hate campaign against Esra.
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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.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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