Craig Newmark Philanthropies Provides IWMF with $350K to Counter Online Harassment

Funding for the IWMF’s work to protect journalists from online harassment surpasses $1 million

[May 28, 2020 – WASHINGTON, DC] The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) today announced $350,000 in additional funding from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to expand its support for women journalists facing online harassment. As digital attacks on journalists proliferate, the IWMF has now received more than $1 million to address this critical and complex issue.

Since 2019, the IWMF has brought together global leaders in digital safety to host trainings, lead security consultations and create online courses for journalists experiencing online harassment. With this additional funding the organization will form a broad coalition of experts, practitioners and advocates, positioning the IWMF as the leading organization addressing the problem of digital attacks on women journalists.

“Major political struggles are taking place online. Journalists, particularly women, are targeted by interest groups, heads of state and trolls attempting to stop their reporting. Now is the time to equip them and their newsrooms with the tools they need to mitigate online threats,” said Elisa Lees Muñoz, Executive Director of the IWMF. “We are grateful to Craig Newmark Philanthropies for helping the IWMF expand our role as the principal coordinator of digital safety resources for women journalists worldwide.”

Today’s news represents Craig Newmark Philanthropies’ growing commitment to scaling the IWMF’s digital safety work, and to bringing together the notable organizations they support focused on online harassment, including Equality Labs, Feminist Majority/Ms Magazine, Columbia Journalism School and the Global Fund for Women, to name a few.

“I am proud of our continued partnership with the IWMF as it builds a support network for women reporters facing unprecedented levels of online harassment,” Craig Newmark said. “It’s never been more important to protect our democracy in the digital age. The IWMF’s work in online harassment will go a long way toward safeguarding women on the frontlines of journalism across the globe.”

As the nation approaches a presidential election in the fall, and harassment and disinformation increases, there remains a critical gap in digital safety resources for journalists. This additional funding will help the IWMF compile, monitor and evaluate the latest developments in anti-harassment work and expand the resources available to women journalists experiencing online attacks, building a freer, more diverse news media.

About the International Women’s Media Foundation

Founded in 1989, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is the only global non-profit organization that offers emergency support, safety training, grants, skills building and reporting opportunities specifically for female journalists. We are making more women-produced reporting possible and work tirelessly to ensure a greater diversity of voices represented in the news industry worldwide. Follow the IWMF on Twitter at @IWMF, on Facebook at @IWMFPage and Instagram on @TheIWMF.

About Craig Newmark Philanthropies

Craig Newmark is a Web pioneer, philanthropist, and leading advocate. Most commonly known for founding the online classified ads service craigslist, Newmark works to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement. In 2016, he founded Craig Newmark Philanthropies to advance people and grassroots organizations that are “getting stuff done” in areas that include trustworthy journalism & the information ecosystem, voter protection, women in technology, and veterans & military families. At its core, all of Newmark’s philanthropic work helps to strengthen American democracy by supporting the values that the country aspires to – fairness, opportunity, and respect. Craig can be found sharing his personal perspective on the issues of the day at @craignewmark.

# # #

Media Contact:

Charlotte Fox
Director of Communications
cfox@iwmf.org
(202) 567-2615