Nearly One In Two Women Journalists Resort To Self-Censorship Due To Online Abuse: Study
Online violence is increasingly forcing women journalists to limit their voices, avoid sensitive subjects and withdraw from public platforms, according to a new global report released by UN Women and The Nerve.
The report, titled Tipping Point: Online Violence – Impacts, Manifestations and Redress in the AI Age, highlights how coordinated online harassment, sexual abuse and AI-generated content are affecting the professional and personal lives of women working in the media.
According to the study, 45 per cent of women journalists surveyed now practise self-censorship on social media to avoid online abuse. This marks a significant increase from 30 per cent in 2020.
The impact is not limited to their online presence. Around 22 per cent of respondents said they had also begun censoring their professional work and reporting because of online violence.
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The findings point to a growing concern for press freedom, particularly as women journalists increasingly face targeted attacks when reporting on politically sensitive issues, gender rights, feminism, human rights, and environmental concerns.
Some journalists have reportedly withdrawn from specific assignments or avoided certain subjects following repeated online harassment.
The report also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in online violence against women media professionals.
Around 12 per cent of respondents experienced the non-consensual sharing of personal or intimate images, while six per cent were targeted with AI-generated deepfake images or videos.
Nearly one in three women journalists also reported receiving unsolicited sexual advances through digital messages.
About 24.7 per cent of respondents said they had been diagnosed with or received treatment for anxiety or depression linked to online violence.
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Another 12.7 per cent reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The threat is also moving beyond digital platforms, with 42 per cent of women journalists linking online attacks to subsequent physical threats, abuse or assault.
Despite the growing scale of the problem, reporting and legal action remain limited. The proportion of women journalists reporting online violence to the police has doubled, rising from 11 per cent in 2020 to 22 per cent.
However, the findings indicate that existing legal and institutional responses remain inadequate.
