Online threats to female journalists require immediate action, says OSCE media freedom representative

VIENNA, 27 September 2017 – “Combating online threats against female journalists will remain at the top of my agenda as it is an integral part of the safety of journalists. There can be no freedom of the media without safety,” said the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, opening the first of a series of workshops on the online safety of female journalists, which concluded in Vienna today.

During the event, the Representative announced that he is increasing efforts to assist participating States in combating online threats to female journalists.

“Online threats and intimidation are a growing problem across the OSCE region, with female journalists being specific targets. This constitutes a severe threat to plurality and media freedom as a whole and requires solutions that respond to the numerous challenges posed by this threat,” he said.

“The scale of threats against women, in terms of quantity and graphic nature, have reached appalling levels, forcing them to go offline or to refrain from engaging in journalism. Women and men must be equally able to fully participate online. If only one woman resorts to self-censorship, plurality and media freedom suffer,” the Representative said, emphasizing the need for law enforcement bodies to follow up on cases and take them seriously as direct threats to safety.

The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has been working on the issue of the safety of female journalists online since 2014 and is currently developing an online resource hub to promote and consolidate international efforts to counter harassment. The resource hub will gather initiatives, provide tools and create support networks for innovative strategies to better counter online abuse and provide support to journalists who experience it. It will also facilitate co-operation between editorial offices, law enforcement bodies and other stakeholders.

These efforts are all part of the Safety of Female Journalists Online (#SOFJO) campaign, launched by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media to increase awareness of the scope and far-reaching impact of online harassment.

Join the Office of the Representative’s online campaign to promote the safety of female journalists online, using the hashtag #SOFJO.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.