Thread by @yoursosteam

Team TrollBusters was at #RightsCon2022 for the session 'Tweets in indictments: criminalization of social media against journalists.' This discussion focussed on the experiences of journalists in Turkey but are relevant to reporters everywhere. Highlights of the session below:

One journalist shares that in Turkey journalists are killed or arrested, so not many take online harassment seriously. But receiving death threats should not be okay! The country is becoming more polarized so there is lack of tolerance.

This journalist has covered migration and the refugee crisis for a long time, but in the last three years the threats she received have become heightened. Even covering issues from a human rights perspective leads to attacks and criticism.

Her social media messages are filled with graphic, violent death threats. Young, female journalists who cover social causes are easy targets. Covering gender issues means getting attacked by the conservatives.

Twitter and Instagram are the platforms where she receives the most abuse. Sometimes she also receives harassing emails. She reported these threats to the social media platforms. The platform's response, "They couldn't find anything harmful."

Another journalist shares that the government authorities have become very aware about the importance of social media. With the influence of print media reducing, social media has more power.

Social media shouldn't just be broadcast outlets for news, they should be spaces where we can have discussions. But to have this space being weaponized is dangerous.

A female journalist shares details about the lynching campaign against her on social media. She says that many times justice systems also do not protect reporters. Women journalists receive all kinds of insults.

Another reporter shares that most people get their news on social media. Many independent journalists also use social media for communication. That is why these digital spaces are coming under more control. Fake news especially affects all these platforms.

Our resources for female journalists- Threat Infographic: bit.ly/TrollBustersIn…
Digital Hygiene Lessons: tinyurl.com/TBHygiene
Toxic Avenger Magazine: troll-busters.com
Gen Zeitgeist Curriculum: tinyurl.com/TB-GenZ
Student Press Guide: yoursosteam.wordpress.com/student-editio…