Safety of Journalists: the stories behind the faces of women journalists.
Worldwide, journalists face harassment, imprisonment, violence, or even death: simply for doing their jobs. This violence is used to silence journalists and is therefore a form of censorship. Studies have shown that women journalists are targeted online significantly more than their male colleagues. Who are these women? What are their stories? What inspires them to keep going?
The opening of this exhibition will take place on Monday 24 April at 5.30pm (CET) at Unesco in Paris. The online exhibition will be on display on Free Press Unlimited's website at the same time. It will be available to watch here for a long time.
This exhibition, organised by the Kingdom of the Netherlands in collaboration with Human Rights in the Picture and Free Press Unlimited (FPU), aims to initiate a conversation with governments and other stakeholders in the media industry on enhancing the protection of women journalists. By highlighting the stories behind the faces of women journalists, but also by visualizing the important work that has been done in this field by organisations like UNESCO and Free Press Unlimited.
The strong and brave women participating in this exhibition are:
Annie Zaman, Arzu Geybullayeva, Astrig Agopian, Hassnae Bouazza, Hsu Mon Phyo, Judie Kabeira, Lailuma Sadid, María Luz Nóchez, Naw Betty Han, Nicole Maduro, Rana Ayyub, Samira Sabou & Sheyla Urdaneta.
Women Journalists
While many journalists experience (online) violence, women journalists are disproportionately targeted by it. On top of that, the violence they experience is gender-based, meaning it’s sexist and misogynistic. This can vary from receiving hateful messages and rape threats, to actual physical attacks. Next to physical harm, this type of (online) violence against women journalists causes severe psychological harm like stress and feelings of isolation, and can also lead to self-censorship. This means that there is less diversity in the news and that essential information cannot reach the wider public which directly impacts press freedom.
Free Press Unlimited
We work to create a safe environment for all women in the media. Our Reporters Respond Fund supports women who have been under attack with for example emergency assistance, psychosocial support and legal advice. Besides this our Policy & Advocacy team works hard to get online violence higher on the political agenda, and advocates with policy makers to implement better regulations to address online violence.
About Free Press Unlimited
Access to reliable information is a human right. That is why we, Free Press Unlimited, protect press freedom and the safety of journalists together with over 300 local media partners in more than 50 countries. Together with them, we work on our mission to make independent news and information available to all. Because people deserve to know.
Contact: press@freepressunlimited.org // +31 (0)682091209