Thread by @CFWIJ

#CFWIJ joined Pakistani #womenjournos in condemning the vicious harassment they face online. Attacks against them in digital spaces are a despicable attempt at silencing freedom of the press. Authorities must take concrete steps to end cyber harassment of women journalists.

https://twitter.com/Benazir_Shah/status/1293450054309744646

1. #Pakistan: #CFWIJ stands with Pakistani #womenjournos who face constant online harassment by misogynistic trolls. We joined them in the campaign to shut down these vicious attackers and demand authorities to take strict actions.

Read more: bit.ly/3gSlsDd

2. This year alone, #CFWIJ documented at least nine different cases of threats and violence against women journalists in Pakistan, including cases of online harassment and abuse. Such attacks threaten the freedom of the press in #Pakistan. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

3. #CFWIJ has been reporting on online harassment of #Pakistani women journalists since it’s foundation. It is such a stigmatised issue that a lot of the cases go unreported. We call upon women journalists around the world to stand in solidarity #AttacksWontSilenceUs

4. #CFWIJ member @TenzilaMazhar has been target of online attacks since 2017, following her exposé of the sexual assault she was subjected to in 2009. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Follow the timeline of events here: bit.ly/3fQEHMj

5. #Pakistani #womenjournos were the target of online trolls ahead of the elections in 2018. #CFWIJ member @asmashirazi faced vitriolic comments online because she interviewed Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Read more: bit.ly/2Cm3REN

6. @RameezaNizami, publisher of @Nawaiwaqt_
group, a newspaper in Pakistan, also faced online attacks as the 2018 elections approached. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Read more: bit.ly/31Ntp6j

7. In June of 2018, we identified an array of online trolls against @BBCUrdu journalist @iramabbasi as well, that were vitriolic, and graphic. All these trolls targeted her gender. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Read more: bit.ly/2XRLDT2

8. In March 2019, #CFWIJ member @marvisirmed became the target of an online smear campaign that is spreading misinformation and inciting people to violence against her. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Read more: bit.ly/3aj8JHd

9. In July 2019, #CFWIJ met with Human Rights Minister @ShireenMazari1, to present a resolution for the protection of media workers in the country, particularly women journalists. Dr. Mazari promised a swift action against online trolls.

Read more: bit.ly/3iE70iD

10. In March 2020, #CFWIJ member, journalist @marvisirmed was again verbally attacked by trolls during a live talk show for her feminist views, resulting in a barrage of online abuse. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

Read more: bit.ly/2XTxcxY

11. Online harassment and smear campaigns intensified following the #AuratMarch of 2020, portraying the misogynistic character of trolls. #CFWIJ members @GFarooqi and @Maria_Memon were targeted for defending women’s rights in Pakistan.

Read more: bit.ly/2DMGgxF

12. We have observed that a majority of these trolls are supporters of political parties. Targeting journalists for doing their job obstructs the public access to information. No journalist should have to face harassment for doing their job. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

13. Trolling and other forms of online abuse has real life consequences. Many #CFWIJ members who were subjected to online harassment had their homes broken into. We encourage all stakeholders to join efforts to make reporting a safe endeavour for women journalists in #Pakistan.

14. #CFWIJ created a timeline documenting threats and attacks against women journalists in #Pakistan since 2014. 17 of the cases involve online abuse whether in the form of smear campaigns, doxxing, trolling or hacking.

You can see the timeline here: bit.ly/33Rrxwh

15. Yesterday, a group of women journalists met with the parliament’s standing committee on human rights to share testimonies about online attacks they face. The meeting was presided by member National Assembly and @MediaCellPPP chairperson @BBhuttoZardari. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

16. The meeting was a result of the campaign #AttacksWontSilenceUs launched by Pakistani #women #journalists, which drew immense attention. #CFWIJ is a signatory and supports the efforts to take a stance against online harassment.

Read more: bit.ly/325ey7J

17. The committee took notice of the complaints by #womenjournos and aimed to address their concerns by summoning stakeholders. @BBhuttoZardari said that there is no justification for rape or death threats and that it was everyone’s responsibility to stand with #womenjournos

18. Journalists and advocates of press freedom, including members of #CFWIJ @GFarooqi, @asmashirazi, @AmberRShamsi, @MunizaeJahangir and @TenzilaMazhar attended the meeting and shared their testimonies. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

19. #CFWIJ salutes the courage and persistence of Pakistani #womenjournos who led this campaign. We urge the government to take deterrent actions against their perpetrators, safeguard the dignity of #womenjournos and create a safe environment for them. #AttacksWontSilenceUs

20. A new statement on digital violence, launched by Pakistani #women #journalists, asks from all political parties to act with dignity and protect the constitution and freedom of the speech. We wholeheartedly endorse their demands.

Read more: bit.ly/2Ff8oda