"While many reporters regularly experience online violence, women journalists are more likely than their male counterparts to be targeted for abusive comments and image focused, violently sexualised aggression. With such gendered violence having serious implications for media freedom, diversity and
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equity, as well as participation online, it is imperative that digital safety initiatives address the specificity and diversity of online attacks on women journalists and in ways that address the structural factors underpinning them – that is, going beyond an emphasis on individual responsibility. This paper analyses the gender-specific digital safety strategies proposed for women journalists by international anti-violence projects and how they address the responsibility for acting on gendered online attacks. It evaluates the emphasis safety training packages put on promotional, preventative, procedural, or prosecutorial measures and on individual, collective or networked and managerial approaches to these attacks. Drawing on a feminist “ethics of care”, the paper argues that gendered online violence needs to be tackled as a multilevel online governance issue rather than just a personal safety issue, with better support from peers, employers and legal and political institutions." (Abstract)
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"[...] This is a guide to provide support and advice based on shared experience of others worldwide and includes handy links to other research and IFJ resources. With courage, wit and sheer determination, we’ve seen many journalists demonstrate how to take on trolls, call them out, respond to pate
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ntly false information and posts, factual distortions, propaganda and misogyny. They have flagged trouble-makers who, through incessant trolling, attempt to deliberately misdirect online conversations and derail healthy debate. It is true there are many ways to take this fight back. Importantly, this guide is also a call to solidarity for all media workers, to join together in this fight for freedom of expression and safety online." (Page 2)
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"The Council of Europe Seminar, Combating Sexist Hate Speech, brought together a group of around 60 participants, including human rights and women’s rights activists, youth leaders, journalists and policy makers to challenge sexist hate speech, its causes, forms and consequences, and to propose so
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lutions to counter it [...] A wide range of proposals for actions by different stakeholders were made during the Seminar, highlighting the fact that sexist hate speech is an issue that should be addressed not only by the different sectors of the Council of Europe, but also by national governments, the media and civil society organisations. Specific activities were proposed, such as the creation of a logo and online stickers, the use of videos, the promotion of strategic litigation and the organisation of feminist camps for young women. Specific recommendations were also made regarding the role of the media sector, including platform providers and the need for codes of ethics to ensure more effective moderation in social media; and active gender equality policies regarding media content but also in the media sector. A set of necessary policy actions to address sexist hate speech were also identified, including clarifying concepts and definitions, eliminating gaps in legislation, especially related to combating violence against women, eliminating sexism from the language and practice of all institutions, promoting gender equality and media literacy training, and promoting the integration of a gender equality perspective in all aspects of education." (Summary, page 5-7)
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