The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has failed to act with regard to the complaints filed by Gharidah Farooqi about the persistent online harassment she faces.

ournalist Ambreen Fatima was attacked in Lahore on Wednesday, days after her husband, journalist Ahmad Noorani, reported an explosive story regarding the military establishment.

Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ), dünyanın dört bir yanındaki kadın gazetecilere yönelik bütün tehdit ve saldırılar için Gazetecilere Karşı İşlenen Suçlarda Cezasızlıkla Mücadele Günü'nde bir kampanya başlattı. CFWIJ, çevrimiçi karalama kampanyalarıyla mücadele eden gazetecilere karşı işlenen suçlara yönelik yeni yasal düzenlemeler yapılması için çağrıda bulunuyor. Dünya genelinde 92 ayrı ülkeden kadın gazetecilerin karşı karşıya kaldığı zorlukları kaydeden CFWIJ, gazetecilerin güvenliğini sağlamak için caydırıcı tedbirler talep ediyor.

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists the Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support to women and LGBTQI journalists worldwide, who face mistreatment and abuse because of both their gender and their reportage. Disparaging attitudes towards gender in the society at large infiltrate the profession as well. As we call for an end to impunity against journalists, we must be cognizant that while attacks on journalists go unpunished, gendered attacks on women journalists often also go unnoticed. The CFWIJ stands to correct this. We stress on the impunity for gendered discrimination, and rhetoric, that women journalists face, not just in the field but at home, at the workplace and in society at large for this colors the kinds of violations they face.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh got into what can only be described as a juvenile twitter spat with Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir in the aftermath of the India vs. Pakistan fixture in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The two recalled moments from their rivalry arguing which side has historically fared better, when the conversation became extremely vile and loaded with personal attacks. Pakistani journalist Iqra Nasir, like many cricket fans from either side of the border, intervened to offer support to her cricket team and was abused by Singh as he attempted to counter her argument.

Prominent broadcast journalist and Coalition For Women In Journalism member Asma Shirazi has been hit with yet another government-backed organized troll campaign. Reacting to a column penned by Asma in BBC Urdu, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s official Twitter account posted a video purportedly of a mobile phone conversation between Asma and thrice ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The ruling party’s Twitter handle attempted to discredit and align Asma and accused her of “obedience” to a “certified chor [thief] and absconder”. The CFWIJ condemns the use of such rhetoric by the party, which leads Pakistan’s federal government. Such acts by a government already under criticism for encroaching on the freedom of the press, in a country known for its frequent violations against journalists, place a target on journalists’ backs.

Senior journalist Gharidah Farooqi has been hit with yet another onslaught of vitriol and a deeply gendered harassment campaign against her on social media. In an attack launched two days ago, vicious trolls have dragged her name into some explicitly doctored video clips.

The court refused to accommodate the medical concerns that Tenzeela Mazhar is facing. Tanzeela is currently pregnant and nursing a fractured foot. Upon request to not appear in one of her hearings due to its proximity with when her child is due, the judge told Tenzeela that he would issue her arrest warrant if he found her absent. Tenzeela is currently facing defamation charges in response to a harassment claim she filed against the Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV).

Journalists around the country protested in the capital against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA). In a sit-in conducted outside the Parliament House, journalists opposed the restrictions that the proposed bill will impose on the press in Pakistan, citing it as a measure to curb free speech and criticism in the country. The protest demonstration was supported by various sections of civil society, including members of the judiciary as well as the opposition.

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.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry casually labeled prominent journalists and media houses in Pakistan as being “agenda-driven”. On September 1, he appeared on the News Eye program on Dawn News, where he was questioned on how the government has not completed its investigation of any of the three attacks that occurred in the capital.

Political commentator Reema Omer was targeted with incessant trolling by supporters of the current government after her interaction with Dr. Yuen Yuen Ang. The issue concerned one of the books written by the professor that Reema had earlier referenced on her own account. Dr. Yuen Yuen Ang’s disagreement with her interpretation led to widespread trolling by those who do not appreciate Omer’s critical stance on the current state of affairs in the country.

Journalist and Youtuber Javeria Siddique was targeted online by trolls after she pointed out the wrong approach of a male journalist on an important and sensitive subject. Journalist Imran Riaz Khan who is a current affairs host on the GNN TV channel, issued a problematic statement on the murder of Noor Muqadam (a 27-year-old girl who was beheaded by Zahir Jaffer on 21 July at his residence) on his YouTube channel.

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.

Veteran journalist Syeda Maimanat Mohsin, popularly known as Jugnu Mohsin survived an assassination attempt on Monday, June 7. Her convoy was attacked by armed assailants in Okara when she left after attending an event. Assailants fired on her convoy and attacked the cars with sticks and stones as they intercepted the convoy.