Women Journalists’ Safety
„So far, most of us have only been spared from physical violence.
Not all. Most. We are subjected to everything else.”
The harassment and abuse of women journalists are also a reflection of a wider social problem – sexism. In most cases, attacks are not directed at the topic covered, but rather at them as women, their families and private lives.
Women journalists and other women working in the media sphere face security risks linked not only to the nature of their work, but also to the fact that they are women. They are exposed to the same types of attacks as their male peers, but violence against them is, on the one hand, several times more prevalent than that against men and, on the other, frequently manifested as sexual and misogynous attacks. Especially vulnerable to these attacks are women journalists who report on sensitive political and social issues, such as corruption and crime, as well as those who are outspoken and challenge patriarchal stereotypes by reporting on topics concerning gender equality, violence against women, women’s rights.
Women journalists also face risks in environments that should be safe, such as newsrooms. They are targeted not only in connection with their reporting, but also by their sources, colleagues, and even family members. The challenges faced can be divided into three categories: 1) physical vulnerability, 2) verbal attacks and harassment (mainly online) and sexual harassment, 3) labour rights violations and social inequality.
Journalists against Violence press for ensuring that violence affecting women in the media sphere becomes visible and subject to sanctions. Through different tools, techniques and solidarity, we aim to support colleagues in fighting violence in and out of newsrooms and reporting locations. On this site, we will aim to provide information on protecting one’s safety to all journalists, whether they are members of the group Journalists against Violence against Women or not, and to keep adding new sources, handbooks, research reports etc.
