Women journalists in Pakistan have come together and released a joint statement calling upon authorities to end impunity against attacks on women in media in Pakistan.
The joint statement deplores the attacks through social media directed at women journalists and commentators, making it incredibly difficult for them to carry out their professional duties.
The target of these attacks are women with differing viewpoints and those whose reports have been critical of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government and its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The online attacks are instigated by government officials and then amplified by a large number of Twitter accounts, which declare their affiliation to the ruling party,” said the statement.
While both men and women face harassment online, many female media professionals have to deal with the kind of hate comments men will never have to stomach, messages about their appearance, gender, and sexuality.
The women journalists said they are being prevented from exercising their right to free speech and participate in public discourse and are prevented from receiving information to form their views.
They said they do not enjoy the protection of the law when attacks and threats are made against them, adding this is due to the actions of those who hold positions in government and are affiliated with the PTI.
They said last July, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari promised to take notice of threats against journalists and to address the climate of abuse, bullying, fear and censorship but no action has been taken.
The women journalists have demanded the government to immediately restrain its members from repeatedly targeting women in media, and hold all such individuals within the government accountable and take action against them. They also demanded to send a clear message to all party members, supporters and followers, to desist from launching these attacks.
