Pakistan women journalists slam online abuse by pro-govt Twitter accounts

ISLAMABAD: Woman journalists and commentators have spoken out against cyber bullying and online abuse by social media accounts linked to government officials and pro-PTI people. 

 In a joint statement on Wednesday, women journalists called on the government to immediately restrain its members from repeatedly targeting women in the media,

“Vicious attacks through social media are being directed at women journalists and commentators in Pakistan, making it incredibly difficult for us to carry out our professional duties. The target of these attacks are women with differing viewpoints and those whose reports have been critical of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s government, and more specifically its handling of the coronavirus pandemic,” it claimed.

 “The online attacks are instigated by government officials and then amplified by a large number of Twitter accounts, which declare their affiliation to the ruling party.

“In what is certainly a well-defined and coordinated campaign, personal details of women journalists and analysts have been made public. To further discredit, frighten and intimidate us, we are referred to as peddlers of “fake news”, “enemy of the people” and accused of taking bribes (often termed as “paid” journalists or lifafas).”

It said that pictures and videos of women journalists have also been morphed.

“Women in the media are not only targeted for their work, but also their gender. Our social media timelines are then barraged with gender-based slurs, threats of sexual and physical violence. These have the potential to incite violence and lead to hate crimes, putting our physical safety at risk.

Lately, there have also been attempts to hack into the social media accounts of reporters and analysts, as well as limit our access to information. In some cases, journalists have been locked out of their social media accounts as a result of hacking attempts.

 Women in the media, especially those on social media platforms, are finding it increasingly difficult to remain on these platforms and engage freely. Many now self-censor, refrain from sharing information, giving their opinion or actively engaging online.

 These sustained attacks undermine public trust in journalism and go against the basic tenets of democracy. It is a public right to access accurate and reliable information, especially during a public health emergency.

 “We are being prevented from exercising our right to free speech and participate in public discourse. When we self-censor, others are prevented from receiving information to form their views, which is a violation of their rights under Article 19-A.”

“When attacks and threats are made against, we do not enjoy the protection of the law as guaranteed under Article 4, and this is the direct result of the actions of those who hold positions in government and are affiliated with the PTI.” 

Last July, Shireen Mazari, the minister for human rights, promised to take notice of threats against journalists and to address the climate of abuse, bullying, fear and censorship. Ms. Mazari, we are waiting.

 We demand that the government:

 1) Immediately restrain its members from repeatedly targeting women in the media

 2) Send out a clear message to all party members, supporters and followers, to desist from launching these attacks, whether directly or indirectly

 3) Hold all such individuals within the government accountable and take action against them

 “We also call upon the Standing Committees on Human Rights of the upper and lower house of parliament to take notice and hold the government accountable by ensuring they acknowledge, apologize and list the actions they will now take to put an end to such a threatening environment.”

 

 

Signed by:

Mehmal Sarfraz Benazir Shah Amber Shamsi Zebunnisa Burki Ramsha Jahangir  Asma Shirazi Ayesha Bakhsh Gharidah Farooqi Alina Farooq

Alia Chughtai Reema Omer Nazrana Yousafzai Tanzeela Mazhar Munizae Jahangir Farhat Javed Aima Khosa