Journalist Benazir Shah was targeted by an organized troll campaign instigated by Focal Person (Digital Media) to CM Punjab, Azhar Mashwani, after she reported on the Single National Curriculum introduced by the current government. The curriculum has been met with much criticism for, what many perceive as, religious orthodoxy and patriarchy embedded in its content. This is not the first time state officials have targeted journalists on social media, and the lack of accountability from the government regarding these bullying tactics make them complicit in the ongoing intimidation of media in the country.

Jin News Kürtçe editörü Roza Metina’ya ‘örgüt üyeliği’ suçlamasıyla açılan davanın ikinci duruşması Diyarbakır’da görüldü. Esas hakkında mütalaa sunan dava savcılığı, gazeteciye yönelik 15 yıl hapis cezası talep etti. Mütalaaya karşı savunma yapmak için süre talebini kabul eden mahkeme, duruşmayı 12 Ekim 2021 tarihine erteledi. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ), savcılığın talebini kınıyor. Türk yargısından gazeteci Metina hakkında derhal beraat kararı verilmesini talep ediyoruz.

The second hearing of the case against Jin News Kurdish editor Roza Metina was held today in Diyarbakır. The prosecutor gave its opinion to the court and demanded a 15-year prison sentence for the journalist. Upon the request of the defence, the court adjourned the trial until October 12, 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the prosecution's request. We demand the Turkish judiciary to acquit the journalist immediately.

Gharidah Farooqi, a prominent TV host, was attacked by an organized troll campaign. Trolls bullied her using edited clips from a particular program segment.

A baseless police complaint was registered against Rana Ayyub by state-backed political workers. The complaint, registered in the state of Uttar Pradesh, alleges that Ayyub was involved in fraudulent dealings with the money she had collected for COVID relief work in the country. Ayyub denies these allegations against her and took to social media to clarify her stance on the issue. Ayyub has been a vocal critic of the current regime in India and this is not the first time she has been targeted with malicious propaganda by the Indian state or those who work for it.

A police ombudsman upheld a complaint filed by prominent crime reporter Patricia Devlin. The journalist had initiated the case against the Police Service of Northern Ireland for its failure to investigate the online threat against her baby. The police ombudsman concluded the case in Patricia's favour. She said the threat made against the journalist was repulsive and police missed the opportunity to apprehend the suspect. The CFWIJ welcomes the court decision and hopes this will set a new precedent for police to properly investigate the matters that concern women journalists and press freedom.

ournalist Greeshma Kuthar was harassed by a man while traveling at night. According to Kuthar the incident took place at a prominent junction in Anna Nagar. Greeshma was traveling on her scooter when a strange man in a car passing by insisted on speaking to her. Despite no response from Greeshma, he kept persisting and following her, repeatedly passing inappropriate comments. The man only stopped once Greeshma took a photo of his car’s registration number.

Aleksandra Tolj Ruzic, a correspondent for N1 TV, was harassed and attacked while covering a demonstration in Cetinje. On September 5, Aleksandra was covering a protest against the inauguration of the head of a Serbian church with her TV crew. She was intimidated and then attacked by violent protesters before leaving the scene. Aleksandra took refuge in a local house until the police arrived and rescued her and the crew. The CFWIJ is appalled by the attack and demands state authorities apprehend the assailants. We commend Aleksandra for her courage and commitment to her work.

Three women journalists were detained by the police in Moscow while picketing outside the Ministry of Justice on September 8. Alesya Marokhovskaya, Polina Uzhvak, and Irina Dolinina were protesting the use of the term “foreign agent” for independent journalists. They held signs with messages translated as, “They are not foreign agents, they are journalists.” Police arrested the three women journalists and later escorted them to a police van, as seen in a video aired by Dozhd TV station. The CFWIJ condemns the detention and demands the immediate release of the journalists. We urge the authorities to stop labeling dissenting voices, particularly the press, as foreign agents.

Journalist Antonella Alba was verbally and physically attacked at a demonstration rally against the COVID safety measures announced by the Italian government. The incident took place on August 28, while Antonella was covering the protest for Rai News 24. The journalist was abused by participants of the rally and incurred physical injuries in a scuffle that took place at the location. The security personnel on the ground had to eventually intervene in order to ensure her safety.

A woman journalist was beaten and her equipment was broken by the Taliban forces while covering the women’s demonstrators at Dasht-e-Barchi. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is extremely alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country. We urge the Taliban leadership to allow women journalists and all-female employees to continue their work.

The court dismissed the charges of sedition against the indigenous journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, arrested in September 2020 and accused of participating in demonstrations in the city of Joyabaj, Guatemala. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes Anastasia’s acquittal, after a year of imprisonment, justice finally arrived at the journalist. We call on Guatemalan authorities to end intimidating journalists and respect press freedom.

State authorities searched the apartment of ex-TV broadcaster Katerina Pytleva on September 7. The journalist fled the country earlier this year after facing threats of a possible criminal case against her. The CFWIJ is alarmed by the persistent harassment of women journalists in the country. We have recorded several threats and violations against press freedom, particularly involving women journalists. The mounting threats to journalists under Lukashenko’s regime have created a repressive environment for press freedom. The CFWIJ urges the present government to break this pattern.

Sports director for WTOC11, Lyndsey Gough, endured intimidation from random fans and spectators while reporting from the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 5. As Lyndsey was setting up her shot, she was touched by fans who appeared to be intoxicated.

The editor of the "Green Portal", Yanina Melnikova was detained for 72 hours and yet not released. Security forces raided the journalist's house and took Yanina for interrogation. She is still under custody. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands authorities to release her immediately. Journalism is not a crime.