Clarice Wambua, a lawyer at a leading corporate and commercial law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) Kenya, contributed to the development of a newsletter entitled “Misinformation and online harassment against women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa,” to be used in Media Defense’s resource hub for lawyers litigating digital rights and freedom of expression cases.
According to Clarice, women journalists in sub-Saharan Africa – who provide a vital service to society should not be bullied into silence, especially with the rise of misinformation and online harassment.
By The Numbers
The newsletter was developed against growing evidence that online violence against women journalists is more and more rampant.
A recent UNESCO study covers 15 countries, incl Ghana and Nigeriabest moments that 73% of female journalists have faced online violence in the course of their work.
Similarly, in Kenya, a worrying 75.4% of women journalists mentionted face online harassment due to factors such as the news content they cover, their ethnicity and gender.
Because this matters
Misinformation and online harassment not only cause psychological and emotional distress, but also undermine freedom of expression and the public’s right to receive information. Moreover, they endanger trust in journalism and deprive society of diverse voices and perspectives.
Zoom out
There are legal protection mechanisms for women journalists. At the continental level, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has passed resolutions to protect women from digital violence, calling for gender-specific legislation and training to combat online harassment.
In addition, several sub-Saharan African countries have established national frameworks such as Cybercrimes Law in Nigeria and Protection from Harassment Act in South Africato counter disinformation tactics and prevent online harassment of journalists.
However, while legal frameworks provide avenues for redress, more proactive measures are needed to effectively combat online violence. Women journalists should be able to make use of reporting mechanisms provided by social media platforms, hire lawyers to take legal action against perpetrators, and seek support from regional or local bodies dedicated to media safety.
What they say
“By raising awareness, supporting legislative reform and encouraging a culture of digital safety and respect, we can create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women journalists to thrive and continue their vital contribution to our societyClarice concludes.
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