Natasha Fatah, host and reporter for CBC News, endured vicious trolling by an anonymous account who wished cancer on her and her father in a tweet. The journalist responded that she deals with her fair share of trolling, but the latest comments might be a new low. CFWIJ condemns the toxic trend of online trolling targeting women journalists. We stand in solidarity with Natasha and denounce the hateful online attack against her.

Anayasa Mahkemesi’nden (AYM) çıkan karara rağmen tutukluluğu devam eden Halkların Demokratik Partisi (HDP) milletvekili Faruk Gergerlioğlu’nun tahliye edilmesi için Sincan Cezaevindeki ‘Adalet Nöbeti’ni takip eden gazeteciler Büşra Taşkıran ve Berna Kişin’e polis müdahale etti. Cezaevi önünde haber takibi yapan gazeteciler darp edildi. Gazetecilerin cep telefonları ve ekipmanlarına el konulmak istendi.

Journalists Büşra Taşkıran and Berna Kişin were physically assaulted by the police while covering demonstrations at Sincan Prison demanding the release of The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Faruk Gergerlioğlu. The police deliberately attacked journalists. Journalists' mobile phones and equipment were sought to be confiscated.

Several notable Sri Lankan women journalists took to Twitter and shared the horrible experiences they have endured through their careers. The latest revelations coming from these women journalists are described as the “Belated #MeToo movement” in Sri Lanka’s newsrooms. Sarah Kellapatha, Sahla Ilham, Aisha Nazim, and Jordana Narin are among the few brave women journalists who came forward with their struggle on Twitter.

Iryna Novik, a project editor for Hrodna.life, was detained by the Belarusian police over a photo she released. She posted a picture of a Ryanair plane with a logo of a Telegram channel banned in the country. The photo remained on the channel’s feed for five hours, though Iryna reports that when the error was noticed, the post was removed. She was detained for two days before she was released. CFWIJ condemns the unjustified crackdown on press freedom in the country. We stand in solidarity with Iryna and denounce the attack against the journalist.

24sata newspaper reporter Tea Paponja was physically assaulted in Marulic Square in Zagreb after the LGBTIQ+ Pride. The Coalition for Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the physical violence as well as this expression of hatred towards the LGBTIQ+ community. We demand Croatian officials apply criminal enforcement to the perpetrators. The journalists must do their job safely and freely.

Journalist Sulome Anderson has been at the receiving end of vicious online attacks over the past two years. The trolling is especially with regards to her dispute with digital magazine Grayzone. While it is true that Sulome did make some mistakes in the process, she has repeatedly corrected herself and held true to journalistic principles. She took down and apologized for the factual errors that she made in two of her tweets. However, the attacks have remained incessant and personal and have not ceased.

Valeria Kostyugova, an independent analyst and editor of the Belarusian Yearbook, is in detention after authorities searched her residence on June 30. The case and charges against Valeria have yet to be confirmed. Her husband was eventually released, but she remains in custody at a detention center on Akrestsin Street. Reportedly, the raid on her apartment was carried out by KGB authorities (State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus). CFWIJ condemns the harassment against the journalist and demands state authorities release her from unwarranted detention. The impediments to the free press in Belarus are alarming. The current government must end its targeting of independent journalists and human rights activists.

Glafira Zhuk, a journalist associated with Narodnaya Volya, was released after 30 days in detention. During her detention, including two days in solitary confinement, she was not allowed to shower and only let outside once. The court convicted Glafira for a social media post she shared while covering a case. Judicial authorities deemed her a participant in the mass protest. Glafira had to spend her 20th birthday in prison at Akrestsin Street. The journalist revealed after her release that the cells were overcrowded and female prisoners were only allowed to walk for 20-30 min. CFWIJ condemns the unjustified detention of Glafira. We are dismayed by the journalism faculty’s expulsion of Glafira following her release.

Gazeteciler Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala ve Zeynep Durgut’un gazetecilik faaliyetleri gerekçe gösterilerek “örgüt üyesi olmak” suçlamasıyla yargılandığı davanın ikinci duruşması bugün Van’da görüldü. Mahkeme davayı eksik hususların giderilmesine hükmederek 21 Ekim 2021 tarihine erteledi. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ) olarak gerçekleri açığa çıkaran ve iyi gazeteciliğe örnek bir haberciliğe imza atan gazetecilerin derhal beraatını talep ediyoruz. Yineliyoruz: Gazetecilik suç değildir.

The second hearing of the trial against journalists Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala and Zeynep Durgut was held today in Van. Journalists are facing charges of “being a member of a terrorist organization" due to their journalistic coverage. The court adjourned the next hearing to October 21, 2021, ruling that the missing elements of the case should be completed. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands the journalists' acquittal immediately who revealed the truth and set an example of good journalism. We reiterate once again, journalism is not a crime.

Several women journalists associated with different newspapers and media organizations held a protest in the capital, Islamabad, on June 26. The demonstration was organized to denounce the unjustified layoffs and prolonged delays in salary payments. The women journalists demanded immediate payment of pending wages by the media companies.

Journalist Natallia Kazei was forced to leave Belarus for Germany with her family after she was threatened with a criminal case by her employer organization and state broadcaster ONT. Journalists at the ONT called a strike before the presidential elections following which they were threatened by state officials including new president Alexander Lukashenko. Several journalists have been called in for interrogation since and now face a possible criminal charge for speaking up against the unfair practices at the Belarusian state media.

Journalist Greeshma Kuthar was removed from her journalistic role at the Firstpost by the management at her employer firm. No reason was given regarding the sudden decision. Greeshma has spent three years at the company helping it in community engagement and broader coverage of national issues. Greeshma tried to get in touch with the management regarding the abrupt decision but did not receive a response regarding the matter.

Kapatılan Özgür Gündem gazetesine düzenlenen polis baskınında darp edilerek gözaltına alınan gazeteciler hakkında açılan dava onuncu kez ertelendi. Aralarında beş kadın gazetecinin de yargılandığı bir sonraki duruşma 23 Kasım 2021 tarihine ertelendi. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ) olarak gazetecilere yönelik sürekli ertelenen duruşmaların, gazetecileri susturmak ve sindirmek amacıyla uygulanan yeni bir yöntem olduğuna inanıyoruz. Gazeteciler derhal beraat edilmelidir.