Award-winning freelance producer Bao Choy was convicted on April 22, by a Hong Kong court for submitting false statements to obtain public records. The journalist had obtained the data to determine the police handling of riots against pro-democracy demonstrations and media in July 2019. Bao was charged for violating the city’s Road Traffic Ordinance and was fined 770$. CFWIJ condemns judicial harassment against the journalist. To search for material is right of an investigative journalist and Bao did not use vehicle database information for personal gains. The investigations were used in a documentary that informed the public of how some powerful people chose not to respond in a crisis.

Russian law enforcement authorities detained at least three women journalists from different parts of the country while they were covering pro-Navalny protests. Yulia Suguyeva, Bariyat Idrisova, Ksenia Klochkova were detained in Makhachkala and Saint Petersburg. Yulia and Bariyat are correspondents for independent news website Mediazona. According to the journalist, they did show their press credentials to police but they were taken into a minibus along with other detainees. In Saint Petersburg, Ksenia Klochova, a correspondent for independent news website, Fontanka was investigated allegedly for causing obstruction in the movement of traffic during a protest. She was not detained but police searched her house. CFWIJ is alarmed by yet another wave of legal persecution and harassment against women journalists, covering protests. We demand that Russian authorities end targeting women journalists for doing their job and let them report freely.

Journalist Judie Kaberia shared her unfortunate experience of facing harassment in a recent opinion piece. Judie stated that while she was working as a parliament reporter a few years back, a powerful politician kept brushing off her for an interview for the entire month. After a month the politician confirmed his appointment for the interview but delayed the designated time until it was night. Then he invited Judie to follow him in the hotel room as he was “tired”.

2016 yılında Kanun Hükmünde Kararname (KHK) ile kapatılan Özgür Gündem gazetesine düzenlenen polis baskınında darp edilerek gözaltına alınan gazeteciler hakkında açılan dava yine ertelendi. Mahkeme, hakkında yakalama kararı bulunan gazetecilerin dosyasının ayrılmasına karar vererek, bir sonraki duruşmayı 1 Temmuz 2021 tarihine erteledi. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ) olarak yargılamaların sürekli ertelenmesinin gazetecileri yıldırma amacıyla kullanılan yeni bir method olduğuna inanıyoruz. Meslektaşlarımızın derhal beraatını talep ediyoruz.

The lawsuit filed against journalists who were beaten and detained in the police raid on Özgür Gündem newspaper was postponed one more time. The next hearing of the trial, in which five female journalists are being tried, will be held on July 1. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) finds these constant adjournments of trials are being used as a tactic to derail justice. We demand our colleagues’ acquittal immediately.

Patricia Devlin was again targeted on social media after her coverage of the actions of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). This has become a regular occurence. Devlin, who is a crime reporter has faced similar threats in the past, any time she reported on the loyalist groups operating within Ireland. Over the past couple of years, Devlin was targeted with death and rape threats aimed towards herself and her family, and social media doxxing campaigns. Despite the several attempts to engage law enforcement agencies in the matter, Devlin remains vulnerable to such attacks.

Correspondent for Multimedios Television, Vianca Maleny Trevino Nevejar, was assaulted by police and detained in the early morning on Friday, April 9. The journalist was tightly grabbed by the wrist as police put her in the van. They took her phone and wristwatch and kept pressing her to reveal her password. The journalist was on assignment for covering an assault incident at a beverage store with her cameraman, Raul Zuniga when she was confronted by the police. When police saw Vianca reporting on the spot, they immediately cordoned off the area. Police officers accused Vianca of disrespecting the space, crossing the yellow tape and taking pictures. We stand in solidarity with the journalist and urge the law enforcement authorities of Mexico City to conduct a thorough investigation and hold the police officials accountable.

Asian-American journalist Alyssa Hui was targeted while she was filming a news segment by a man who hurled abuses at her from his car. The attack was entirely unprovoked, and while no racial slurs were uttered, Hui mentioned that she was the only one of her team members who was targeted. Hui took to Twitter with videos of the incident to speak about the experience.

Bugün Kürt Gazeteciler Gününün 123. Yılı. Mikdad Midhat Bedirhan’ın, 22 Nisan 1898 yılında Mısır’ın başkenti Kahire’de basılan ilk Kürtçe gazetesi, Kürdistan Gazetesi, yayın hayatına başlamasının ardından 123 yıl geçti. Ancak Kürk gazeteciler varlığını sürdürmeye devam ederken birçok baskıyla karşı karşıya kalmaya devam ediyor.

Today marks the 123rd anniversary of Kurdish Journalism Day. 123 years have passed since Mikdad Midhat Bedirhan's first Kurdish newspaper published in Cairo. However, Kurdish journalists continue to face pressures within the political climate.

In an article, journalist Lee Ann Kim came forth about the racism she has experienced as a woman belonging to the Asian American community while working as a journalist. From attacks by far-right organizations to institutional biases, and racist remarks from audiences, Lee Ann Kim discloses the wide array of vulnerabilities for a media personality belonging to the AAPI community. In what is a deeply personal account, Lee Ann Kim lays bare the apprehensions of her family and her struggle in the industry as a woman of colour.

As militants continue to target women journalists in the country to terrorize civilians, Neda Sadeq Oghlo emerges as a symbol of resistance. Despite the threats, Neda recently established her own radio channel. According to Neda, this is the time for civil society to actively work towards peace, and the media industry is one of the avenues she believes could make a difference. CFWIJ commends Neda’s courage and commitment to journalism.

İstanbul’da 1 Mayıs Platformunun basın açıklamasını takip eden üç kadın gazeteci polis tarafından sözlü tacize uğradı. Çekim yapmaları engellendi. Toplanan kalabalığa saldırarak, basın açıklamasına katılan en az 30 kişiyi gözaltına alan polis, haber takibi yapan gazetecileri de darp etti. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ) olarak Türkiye’de gazetecilere uygulanan polis şiddetini kınıyoruz. Türk yetkililerden gazetecileri sindirmek amacıyla uyguladıkları politikalardan vazgeçmelerini talep ediyoruz.

Three female journalists covering the press release of the May-Day Platform in Istanbul were physically assaulted and verbally harassed by the police. They were also deliberately prevented from filming the gathering. The police attacked the crowd and detained at least 30 people who participated and battered the journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is devastated by the brutal violence against journalists in Turkey. We demand the Turkish authorities end their policies to intimidate journalists.

Lori Lizarraga, Sonia Gutierrez, and Kristen Aguirre, former correspondents for 9News Denver, shared their experience with workplace discrimination in an article published on March 28. In the article, Lori described how the newsroom policy was inconsiderate of using harsh language against undocumented immigrants. When she raised such concerns, the journalist was told to follow 9News guidelines. For Lori, the post at 9News was an exciting opportunity to work for an organization that values diversity. She soon realized her perception of the platform was a misconception. Fellow 9News journalists Sonia Gutierrez and Kristen Aguirre were also let go, sharing similar experiences with prejudice and limitations placed upon their journalistic coverage. CFWIJ condemns this racial discrimination at the workplace against these women journalists. We demand 9News to issue an apology for the hostile environment and inconsiderate newsroom policies.