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End impunity for tech-facilitated violence against women journalists


Asma Shirazi, a leading Pakistani war reporter and parliamentary correspondent, has been repeatedly targeted for her journalism, with politicians among those who carried a sustained and systematic campaign of online abuse ([link removed]) and doxxing. But Shirazi refused to stay silent, and eventually, she won a landmark case at the High Court.

Shirazi’s victory gives strength and inspiration to the many women journalists facing threats around the world. They are not alone.

To mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and this year’s theme 'Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women Journalists’ ([link removed].) , we call attention to the increasingly prevalent and deeply concerning trend of tech-facilitated gender-based abuse and harassment against women journalists. The theme brings much-needed focus to the online abuse that women journalists face, which often converges with offline attacks and is typically not taken seriously as either a threat to freedom of expression or non-discrimination – making impunity the norm. 

The threats and dangers journalists face disproportionately silence women journalists because they stem from stereotypes, prejudice, and exclusion that persists systemically in newsrooms, the media ecosystem, and society at large. These risks are further amplified and exploited online; impunity for gender-based violence makes the challenge even more pressing. 

“The existence of multiple forms and vectors of violence against women journalists, including online violence, creates zones of silence.” – journalist Analy Nuño during a panel on intersectional gender approaches to the safety of journalists at the Human Rights Council

Our project Equally Safe: Toward a feminist approach to the safety of journalists ([link removed]) highlights that online attacks against women media workers are often sexualised ([link removed]) , make frequent references and threats to personal and family relationships, and focus on women’s appearance and intellectual capability rather than engaging with their actual work and ideas.

The consequences are grave, ranging from physical attacks ([link removed])  following online abuse to physical, mental, and emotional trauma ([link removed]) . As a result, women journalists continue to leave their work or avoid covering stories that could put them and their families at risk.

Those who do take the risk are forced to invest time and resources to protect their physical and digital safety, often without support from authorities. It is often civil society and communities of women who are key to providing efficient support, responding to their unique needs, and respecting women’s rights and experiences.  

“In the favelas, our community takes matters into our own hands. The support networks we created locally and the groups we bring together – from lawyers and social movements to human rights defenders – are our strength and the way we protect ourselves.” –  Gizele Martins, activist and social communicator, speaking on World Press Freedom Day

States must take proactive measures to end impunity for crimes against journalists and uphold their obligations under international human rights law. In particular, they must address the reality that impunity for online abuse and harassment of women journalists is endemic. Women journalists who face these attacks and harassment must have access to legal avenues for accessing justice, redress, and reparation in line with their human rights to freedom of expression, access to justice, equality and non-discrimination.

Governments must adopt intersectional gendered approaches when investigating online harassment and abuse, and when taking steps to ensure women journalists are free from tech-facilitated gender-based violence. This approach must consider gender alongside discrimination based on other protected characteristics like race, sexuality, religion, and disability. Attention should also be paid to private companies, which often fail to uphold their human rights responsibilities when their products put women journalists at risk.   

Tackling impunity for tech-facilitated gender-based harassment is a priority for ARTICLE 19 and it should be a core element of international, regional, and national plans to promote the safety of journalists.
Read more ([link removed])

Coming soon

16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence ([link removed]) and our briefing on international standards and guidance on investigating tech-facilitated violence against women journalists.
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