The Chinese authorities resorted to a slander campaign against the Chinese Australian journalist, Vicky Xu. The journalist, who regularly reports on the human rights crisis in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, opened up on Twitter regarding the state-backed harassment she has had to face through new media outlets and online trolls for her work.

Last month, journalist Natalie Higgins opened up about the vicious online trolling that she has endured since entering the journalism industry. Natalie spoke about the sexual nature of the comments and the absence of any support from the social media platform despite several complaints. CFWIJ stands with the journalist in the face of such hate and hostility.

Agnieszka Pikulicka, journalist and fellow at The Coalition For Women In Journalism, shared images of two cars parked outside her house on April 4. The journalist said, lately, it is the typical view from her window. She further shared that they disappear when offered tea. A while later, she tweeted another picture of a man walking towards the car parked outside Agnieszka’s home. The journalist is facing state-backed intimidation for covering the torture of Miraziz Bazarov, an activist and LGBT rights supporter. Miraziz was brutally tortured on March 29 by radicals, and Agnieszka has followed the details of his treatment. CFWIJ condemns this harassment and demands that Uzbek authorities stop this intimidation towards the journalist and allow her to work freely.

Morning show host and columnist Shiffa Yousafzai was subjected to targeted personal attacks online. Political commentator and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor recently insinuated in his vlogs that Shiffa gets her job done because of her public relations with certain institutions and ministers. Asad mocked the journalist, saying if a monkey can dance well, that does not mean he should be given a screen. While judging Shiffa’s journalistic caliber, Asad crossed the line and attacked her personally.

Brenna Smith, an investigative intern at USA Today, was viciously harassed by right-wing trolls for her first byline. Brenna wrote an investigative piece on how online crowdfunding is used to aid extremist movements. In her article, Brenna discussed how rioters involved in the Capitol insurrection on September 6, 2021, are using these platforms to raise money to pay for legal fees. Despite efforts from tech companies to ban such campaigns, users continue to change accounts and switch online platforms.

Felicia Sonmez, a political reporter working for The Washington Post, was ruthlessly trolled online after tweeting an article written about Kobe Bryant’s disturbing rape case. Felicia posted the tweets on January 27, 2020, one day after Bryant’s tragic death. Facing online backlash, Felicia was forced to delete the tweets and was briefly suspended from her job.

Reem Abdellatif, an editor and writer at Skift, recently spoke about the threats and hate she faces online. Reem, a celebrated journalist, was targeted with hate and discrimination after she published her first column in the Israeli daily newspaper, Haaretz. She recounted that the online accounts bombarded her with hateful comments, and a few ex-colleagues criticized her choice of platform to publish her work. Online trolls threatened Reem and warned her to stay away from Saudi Arabia. The journalist was subjected to sexual advances and accused of manipulation against Muslim brethren. CFWIJ reiterates its condemnation of online attacks against Reem. We demand the executives of social media platforms to acknowledge the dangers of such online attacks for their potential to present physical attacks.

Journalist Claire Koç accused supporters of Turkish President Erdogan of sending her death threats online. The attacks reportedly came after the publication of Claire’s book that details her experience in France as a Turkish immigrant. Claire has since filed a criminal complaint against the perpetrators. CFWIJ condemns the threats against the journalist and demands French authorities apprehend the assailants.

Global Statement - CSW65

Protect Women’s Civic Freedoms to Enhance their Role in Public Life

Norma Saliba, the head of PBS News, was subjected to sexist slurs by controversial commentator Leone Ganado. His comments were posted during a live stream Norma was hosting with Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech. Leone made sexist remarks directed at Norma and later called her a political prostitute. Norma filed a complaint with the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) and requested Leone retract his hurtful comments. After widespread criticism, Leone issued an apology and swore to never cross the line in the future. CFWIJ condemns the humiliation Leone Ganado inflicted on Norma, and we hope he will sincerely stand by his apology.

Violence towards Asian American communities on the rise: A legacy of the Trump era continues.

Writer and editor at “Deadspin” Julie DiCaro shared harrowing trauma she suffered because of mass trolling in her recently published book, “Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America”. Julie shared two major instances from 2013 and 2015 when she was massively attacked and threatened online. The journalist locked herself in-home and tried to hide her identity after receiving rape and death threats. CFWIJ condemns the toxic trend of mass trolling and feels sorry for what Julie had to go through. We stand in solidarity with the journalist and demand that giant social media platforms make amends to cull the toxic trends of online threats against journalists.

Inday Espina-Varona, a senior contributing editor for ABS-CBN, has faced persistent harassment and threats. She says the hostile environment towards journalists has worsened since President Duterte took office in 2016. Inday has been targeted online by slurs, hurtful comments and accusations of providing sensitive information to rebel groups. The journalist admitted she lives in constant fear given the precarious position of press freedom in the country. CFWIJ condemns the harassment towards Inday and asks President Duterte to end the crackdown on critical voices.

Reporter Sonja McLaughlan was targeted with vile online attacks following her coverage of a rugby match. The abuses hurled at her took an emotional toll. The attack was so intense in nature that her employer firm and the rugby board extended messages of comfort and support.

A threatening and hateful video was posted on a YouTube channel on February 11, asking for the hanging of some notable journalists in India. The video was viewed by almost half a million people before it was taken down for violating YouTube’s policy on hate speech. The video accused journalists critical of government policies of having vested interests and financial incentives. The claims in the video were unsubstantiated, yet it was endorsed by many right-wing politicians. CFWIJ condemns the pervasive threats to press freedom in India and asks the regulatory authorities to curb such attacks and hold the perpetrators accountable.