United States: CFWIJ is Appalled By The Threats Faced By Susan Slusser
Location: United States
Date: September 6, 2021
A sportswriter and beat reporter for the San Francisco Giants, Susan Slusser was accosted by a drunk man as she left Oracle Park after the game on Sunday, September 5. In a tweet, the journalist shared the incident and mentioned she was rescued by a group of Los Angeles fans. The CFWIJ is alarmed by the threats she endured. Susan was fortunate that the fans intervened, otherwise, the situation could have escalated quickly. The CFWIJ demands authorities apprehend the aggressor involved in the incident.
Susan Slusser is an established journalist and the first woman to serve as president of the Baseball Writers Association of America. On September 5, after the Giants had lost to the Dodgers, she left Oracle Park. Susan shared in her tweet that she was accosted by an intoxicated man in the parking lot. Luckily, she was surrounded by a group of LA fans who kept the man away from her and accompanied Susan to her car.
The journalist shared in a subsequent tweet that the Giants administration is looking into the incident. She also clarified she doesn't think the incident had anything to do with the fanbase. She recalled the man who threatened her was not wearing merchandise from either team.
Pretty big fan of Dodgers fans right now. Very drunk and big man accosted me walking to the parking lot, very threatening, and a group of LA fans surrounded me and walked me to my car and kept him away. Thanks to all of you. That was freaking scary.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 5, 2021
There seems to be some thought this had something to do with the rivalry/fanbases. I never indicated that nor do I have any thoughts that that was the case. This was a big and impaired threatening me. He was not a recognizable part of either fan base from what I can tell.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 5, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is horrified by the encounter Susan faced outside Oracle Park. We demand law enforcement authorities identify and apprehend the assailant. Women in sports journalism have faced systematic harassment in the field and the newsroom. The CFWIJ has widely reported on women sports journalists facing public intimidation and sexist remarks. The newsrooms must make greater efforts to ensure the safety of women sports journalists in the field.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.