Report: What Press Freedom Looks Like For Women Journalists As A Pandemic Runs Rampant Around The Globe.
Date: May 5, 2020Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
We documented 145 cases between January 2020 and April 2020, out of which 77 cases took place between March-April, when the pandemic changed the working dynamics of many journalists. Around 32.4% of all cases documented by The Coalition For Women In Journalism involved Covid-19.
Press freedom did not look particularly great long before the pandemic hit, and its advent has reasonably made things worse for women journalists.
Although most countries are observing lockdowns, Covid-19 has done little to slow down risks and threats for women journalists. CFWIJ’s data shows that the pandemic has emerged as a separate threat for women journalists altogether, affecting both their mental and physical wellbeing in the worst ways possible.
When the pandemic first broke out, China doubled down on its censorship, something it continues to do till date. Countries like Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia and Iran - amongst others - are following suit.
Several countries have instigated legal attacks against women journalists for their reportage. In Serbia, Ana Lalic was briefly arrested for her report on a lack of medical supplies and equipment. In Malaysia, Noor Hayati Wan Alias was charged with “causing public fear or alarm” because of her Covid-19 posts. Ebru Küçükaydın was detained after the Turkish police raided her house because of her reportage on the pandemic, her piece was deleted soon after. Egypt expelled Ruth Michaelson, a correspondent with The Guardian, because of her reporting on the subject.
Women journalists who were earlier imprisoned for their journalistic work are also facing immense risks as they continue to remain behind bars. The situation is dire for several journalists in Iran and Turkey.
In India and Pakistan, the pandemic has put the industry into additional stress resulting in serious financial issues for women journalists working in the two countries. In India, several women journalists have been laid off or have taken pay cuts. The pressure from the recent fallout is such that many continue their work for fear of losing whatever is left of their jobs.
Pakistan’s women journalists are no strangers to not being paid on time. In most media houses salaries are already delayed by months, and Covid-19 has made things worse.
Things are no better in countries like the USA or the UK, where in our perception we expect better conditions for press freedom and for gender. Yet, the difficulties in these countries that we have found are disappointing and we disapprove of these. In the case of the United States, President Trump has been routinely attacking women journalists and particular women of color, who are there doing their job; which is to ask the president for clarity on method and execution, in his response to the pandemic. The trouble isn’t always presidential, a few weeks ago journalist Julia Rendleman faced a warrant because of her coverage of the novel coronavirus.
In the UK, journalists are already worried about the hazards of the job while covering the pandemic. In this time, when one would expect organizations to come forward and do more, do better, ELLE UK instead released a call for photojournalists who could provide pictures for a pittance.
Despite all of these difficulties and more, women journalists are continuing their work. When the world thinks of press freedom, it must do so with a pinch of salt when it comes to women journalists on the frontlines.
...
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.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.