Journalism’s Dangerous Gender Divide

Female journalists worldwide face an epidemic of harassment while reporting on women’s rights.

Nearly 60% of journalists surveyed by Reporters Without Borders know colleagues targeted by cyberharassment for covering gender issues.

These attacks aren’t merely online inconveniences — they frequently escalate to real-world threats, forcing reporters like Nigerian journalist Kiki Mordi to relocate after investigating sexual harassment in higher education.

In the Philippines, the situation mirrors global trends, with women journalists enduring harassment from colleagues and sources alike. Misogynistic attacks against female journalists are rampant. Many endure lewd comments from sources, unwanted advances from colleagues, and orchestrated smear campaigns online.

Political trolls and paid cyber armies deliberately target women reporters, reducing their credibility to their looks, relationships, or personal lives rather than their work.

Investigative journalists covering sexual harassment cases often find themselves on the receiving end of threats, making them choose between personal safety and professional duty.

The #MeToo movement sparked greater coverage of women’s rights and gender violence since 2017, but this increased visibility has made reporters covering these topics targets for coordinated harassment campaigns.

Bulgarian investigative journalist Marieta Nikolaeva faced AI-generated pornographic deepfakes, while French journalist Salomé Saqué admits refusing certain assignments due to anticipated harassment.

The chilling effect is measurable — journalists self-censor or abandon stories entirely, diminishing public awareness of critical women’s rights issues.

Despite widespread harassment, 93% of journalists surveyed weren’t aware of any perpetrators being convicted, revealing a culture of impunity that emboldens attackers.

Even within newsrooms, women journalists face challenges that hinder their career growth. Gender biases persist, limiting their access to investigative beats or decision-making roles.

Complaints about workplace harassment are often ignored or dismissed, leaving many with little recourse. Some endure these conditions silently, afraid that speaking out will cost them their jobs or access to crucial sources.

There are urgent steps that must be taken to protect and empower women journalists. First, the Philippine government must enact stronger legal protections against online harassment and hold perpetrators accountable. The current culture of impunity emboldens aggressors, making attacks against women journalists seem inconsequential. The European Union’s directive recognizing attacks against female journalists as an aggravating factor in cyberharassment cases should be studied and adapted locally.

Second, newsrooms must implement strict policies against gender-based discrimination and harassment. They should create safe reporting mechanisms for complaints and enforce consequences for violators, regardless of rank. Gender-sensitive training should also be mandatory, especially for editors and managers who shape newsroom culture.

Third, digital platforms must do more to combat online abuse. Social media giants must prioritize reports from journalists facing cyberharassment, swiftly removing abusive content and blocking repeat offenders. They should also invest in human moderation rather than relying solely on algorithms, which often fail to detect and address targeted online attacks.

Lastly, women’s rights advocates and press freedom organizations must work together to provide legal aid, psychological support, and safety training for women journalists under threat. A collaborative approach can strengthen protection mechanisms and create a united front against gender-based attacks in media.

Women journalists have long fought for truth, accountability, and equality. This Women’s Month, it is time we fight for them.