gijn.org/2022/03/02/15-…

We call for gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. Together, let us #BreakTheBias

For #IWD, we’re spotlighting the shocking #onlineviolence campaign against Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, which our research team’s studying with @SheffieldUni computer scientists. Since 2019, we’ve collected & analyzed 8.5million tweets directed @ the The Washington Post columnist

Maligned, condemned, reviled & repeatedly threatened with rape & murder, Rana Ayyub is the target of an orchestrated campaign of #onlineviolence with links to India’s ruling party, in which disinformation tactics and hate speech are clearly evident theguardian.com/world/2022/feb… #IWD

Today, we’re publishing the first insights from our research into the internationally emblematic case of #onlineviolence against Rana Ayyub. She is attacked: 1. For her critical independent journalism 2. For her gender 3. Because of her Muslim faith #IWD

According to our research, one of the most prevalent abuse terms hurled Rana Ayyub is the misogynistic portmanteau #presstitute, a pernicious hybrid word which originated in India & is designed to discredit women journalists both professionally & personally #IWD.

When we examined all uses of the abusive term #presstitute in our dataset of tweets directed Rana Ayyub, we found clear evidence that in addition to misogyny, Ayyub is also subjected to prolific #onlineviolence at the intersection of religious bigotry & racism #IWD

@ranaayyub experiences very significant intersectional #onlineviolence, the term used to describe threats, harassment & abuse which is multilayered, and leveraging multiple forms of discrimination in addition to misogyny to attack the targeted journalist #IWD

The impacts of prolific intersectional #onlineviolence against Rana Ayyub have been severe. She’s been doxxed, stalked, threatened by digital lynch mobs, & afraid for her life. But she refuses to be silenced & credits her survival to support from the international community #IWD

Last week, the legal harassment @ranaayyub experiences escalated again, with a new case being filed against her for “hurting Hindu sentiments” in connection with a BBC News (UK) interview in which she critiqued attacks on Muslim women #IWD x.com/RanaAyyub/stat…

This follows international condemnation of state-linked legal harassment against Rana Ayyub, including a statement in defence of Ayyub from two UN Special Rapporteurs Irene Khan & Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs #IWD ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/…

The big data case study we’re producing on Rana Ayyub is part of the #OnlineViolence Early Warning System project. The project also focuses on women journalists in Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, and South Africa #IWD icfj.org/news/towards-e… #IWD

The project builds on the #OnlineViolence study led by International Center for Journalists for UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳, adopting the methodology for the big data case studies produced for that study which were focused on @MariaRessa & @CaroleCadwalladr en.unesco.org/sites/default/… #IWD

dhakatribune.com/court/2022/03/…

What a tragedy. #PeaceNotWar

Journalist Brent Renaud is another casualty of this senseless war. The least we can do is stand against war, and call for peace. #Ukraine

Eid Mubarak! Wishing everyone peace, prosperity and happiness on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr!

On World Press Freedom Day, let us renew our commitment to free and fair reporting which strengthens democratic processes. Let us honor brave journalists who face danger and persecution to uncover the truth. #WPFD22

Eid Mubarak! Wishing everyone peace, prosperity and happiness on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr!