They call on states to “guarantee” the protection of journalists working on issues related to women’s rights
OR Non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is today calling on states to “guarantee” the protection of journalists working on issues related to women’s rights, marking the seven-year anniversary this month of the MeToo movement.
Around the world, “the repression of professional journalists and women journalists remains a significant challenge that requires investment by all actors,” notes RSF in a report released today titled: “Journalism in the age of # MeToo”.
The journalists’ defense organization makes 16 recommendations, including for states to protect such journalists and “introduce into criminal law” aggravating circumstances in the case of cyber harassment of female journalists and gender minorities.
In its recommendations to digital platforms, RSF suggests in particular that they provide for “urgent handling of complaints by journalists who have been victims of online harassment” and “respond without delay to the orders of judicial authorities”.
The non-governmental organization is also calling on editorial groups to better educate their members who may be potential victims of online harassment and also to establish “gender editors”.
RSF interviewed 113 of its journalists in 112 countries to assess the media implications of the women’s free speech movement in the wake of #MeToo.
More than 80% said they saw a significant increase in the number of issues related to women’s rights, gender issues and sexist and sexual violence since 2017. However, according to more than a quarter of respondents, work on these issues is dangerous: it can lead to exposure to insults, threats and even attacks.
Therefore “this feminist media spring is not harmless,” noted Thibaut Brutin, RSF’s director-general, paying tribute to Chinese journalist Sophia Huang Shueqin, who started the #MeToo movement in China and was sentenced to prison five years old in June.
In October 2017, the revelations about the sexual assaults of American former producer Harvey Weinstein caused a shock wave around the world, releasing the voice of many victims.
Source :Skai
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