CJF J-Talk: The Chilling Tide of Abuse Faced by Women Journalists

Online harm and harassment is one of the most significant safety issues facing women journalists today, and is on the rise globally, according to a 2021 report by the International Center for Journalists. Digital attacks aimed predominantly at women and racialized journalists are intended to belittle, discredit, humiliate and, ultimately, undermine trust in facts and jeopardize press freedom. 

In Canada, several journalists – nearly all racialized women – were recently targeted by an escalating hate campaign through encrypted email services, threatening ‘real-world’ sexual violence and harm. 

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Canadian Journalism Foundation, in collaboration with the #NotOk campaign and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, welcomed three journalists to share their insights on online violence against women journalists in Canada, the challenges they face and perspectives on solutions and supporting others in the industry. 

The virtual discussion took place on November 30 and features journalist, broadcaster and co-founder of Media Girlfriends, Garvia Bailey; freelance journalist Christina Frangou; and Toronto Star producer and co-host of This Matters podcast, Saba Eitizaz. CBC News correspondent Salimah Shivji moderated this discussion.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

 

Garvia Bailey is a co-founder of Media Girlfriends Inc. Her career in media spans close to two decades as a producer, host and columnist for the CBC and JazzFM. She is a co-founder of jazzcast.ca, a 24-hour streaming service that amplifies the roots of jazz as an African-American-derived art form. Garvia is the recipient of the 2019 RTDNA award for opinion writing and a 2017 Silver Medalist at the New York Radio Awards. She is a jurist for the prestigious Canadian Hillman Prize for investigative journalism. Garvia’s work is centered around inclusion, care and excellence in journalism. @garveyschild

Saba Eitizaz is the co-host and producer of the Toronto Star’s daily news podcast “This Matters.” She is a multimedia journalist who has previously worked for the CBC, BBC World Service and Voice of America. Before moving to Canada, she reported from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UK. Her work has mostly been focused on human rights and social justice. @sabaeitizaz

Christina Frangou is an independent journalist based in Calgary who writes about health and social issues. Her work has appeared in Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine and The Guardian, among others. She’s been honoured with a National Newspaper Award and two National Magazine Awards for feature writing, and she is the 2022 recipient of the Landsberg Award, granted by the Canadian Women’s Foundation and Canadian Journalism Foundation for bringing greater profile to women’s equality issues. @cfrangou

ABOUT THE HOST

 

Salimah Shivji is the India correspondent for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, based in Mumbai. She has worked with CBC News for nearly two decades and has covered the political scene in Ottawa, as well as major world events such as the war in Ukraine, India’s Covid-19 crisis, Sri Lanka’s economic upheaval, and the Trump White House. @salimah_shivji

The Chilling Tide of Abuse Faced by Women Journalists is presented in collaboration with the #NotOk campaign and the Canadian Women's Foundation.