Women journalists face harassment online and off every day. The IWMF’s Attacks and Harassment: The Impact on Female Journalists and Their Work found that 70% of women journalists have experienced some form of harassment, threat or attack, and a third of women journalists have considered leaving the profession due to online attacks.
While the journalism industry has recognized the dangers of physical attacks, the same sense of urgency is needed to address online attacks. To bolster women journalists’ digital security and help the news media at large better support their employees’ online safety, the IWMF is convening individuals and organizations to address these issues.
Through funding from Luminate, the Knight Foundation, and the Craig Newmark Philanthropies, an advisory board of digital security experts is developing these resources, including online training modules, one-on-one support at industry events and emergency funding. A focus group of journalists dedicated to improving their digital security skills is also guiding these efforts, using and providing feedback on resources throughout their development.
Among these resources is “Know Your Trolls,” a course developed with digital security experts, journalists, and online education experts to help journalists identify the abuse they are receiving online and who may be behind it (available in English here, Spanish here, and French here). A second course, “Keep it Private,” available in English and Spanish, provides tips for journalists to better protect their data and online privacy.
The IWMF is also forming a broad Coalition of stakeholders addressing online abuse, which will enable better coordination and cross-promotion of resources offered by organizations addressing online attacks. Learn more about the Coalition and get involved here.
Need support? Email us at digitalsafety@iwmf.org.
