04 Informed Campaign Championing women journalists


Tara Conlan reports on the importance of women journalists and their experiences within our industry. Across the globe, courageous women journalists are telling stories that change lives and shine a light on injustice - despite facing sexism, violence and threats - online and in real life. From the investigative work of journalists in the UK such as Carole Cadwalladr to frontline despatches from Christina Lamb or Lyse Doucet, there are many women journalists inspiring the next generation as they uncover truths in the face of danger. Just over two years ago, the


International Centre for Journalists published a ground-breaking report called Te Chilling: A global study of online violence against women journalists. It documented alarming trends and


offered solutions. But women still face risks and sexism on a daily basis. Te most recent Women in Journalism


report into the issue found 75% of participants said they had “experienced a threat or challenge to their safety from a member of the public online, in person or online and in person during the course of their work” and a quarter of participants said they had “experienced some kind of sexual harassment or sexual violence in connection to their work.” In addition, a fiſth said they had


Te Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom monitors the plight of female journalists and notes that Russia’s treatment of women media workers is worsening, along with strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) against women journalists, “covering gender issues...with cases spanning multiple continents and legal systems.” “Women journalists covering feminist


considered leaving journalism due to online threats and almost half promoted their work online less for fear of online harm.


Male journalists also encounter intimidation and the greatest proportion of press killed last year were men: of the 122 who died last year 14 were women, according to the International Federation of Journalists’ Killed List for 2024. Tose who died in Gaza include


Wafa Aludaini, who was killed along with her husband and their two children, and journalist and photographer Ahlam Al Nafed.


McCullough review continues


Te independent review into conduct by the Police Service of Northern Ireland was established by the Chief Constable following revelations at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal relating to the surveillance of journalists. Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general


secretary, represents the NUJ and continues to atend meetings of the group of experts and stakeholders set up to advise Angus McCullough KC in his review of the culture of the PSNI. Dooley highlighted the union’s concerns on the surveillance of journalists at an evidence session with the Northern


events, women’s marches or other events are frequently investigated for ‘participating in unlawful assemblies’, ‘spreading misinformation’, or “violating religious sentiments’.” Te NUJ has a Safety Tracker to help and Te Women In Journalism Institute recently issued its Online Safety for Women and Non-Binary Journalists manual, which gives practical advice – such as investigative journalist Rana Husseini from Jordan minimizing her digital footprint while covering sensitive women’s rights issues. In addition, as noted on International


Women’s Day, many female journalists – who are just trying to do their job – still face barriers mired in misogyny. Te UK gender pay gap for 2024 was 14.3 per cent and at current rates will take at least another 20 years to close. What impact the current global political climate has on that situation remains to be seen.


Ireland Affairs Commitee alongside journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney of “No Stone Unturned.” He highlighted the scale of


threats against journalists may be underreported as there is “a generation of journalists in Northern Ireland, following the death of Martin O’Hagan, who almost think that threats are part of their professional life.”


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