Dear Friends,

The #MeToo movement has had a significant impact on the media landscape. This is revealed by the report that Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released yesterday, entitled “Journalism in the #MeToo era.”

More than 80% of the 113 journalists around the world who were exclusively surveyed for this report said they had seen an increase in the number of stories covering women's rights, gender issues, and gender-based violence. The #MeToo movement has also spurred the creation of new media outlets, changes to newsroom policies and the development of new journalist networks. 

But working on women's rights, gender issues, and gender-based violence is still dangerous for journalists, according to 27% of those questioned for our report, and nearly 60% said they know at least one case of a journalist who has been subjected to cyber-harassment for covering these subjects. Hostility is still so strong in countries with authoritarian regimes, such as Russia, that self-exile is sometimes the only option. Since the Taliban retook control in Afghanistan, women journalists have been expelled from the media or forced to flee the country.

On the basis of these findings, RSF has formulated 16 recommendations for governments, law enforcement, judicial authorities, online platforms and media outlets that are designed to ensure that journalists are fully protected when working on women's rights, gender issues and gender-based violence.

It was thanks to your support that we were able to conduct this exclusive survey. Without your donations, our staff could not carry out this kind of investigative work and formulate recommendations with the aim of ensuring that journalists can practice their profession in complete safety. We thank you in advance for your continued support.