Women journalists’ network condemns online abuse and gender-based attacks against female journalists

The Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights has expressed solidarity with Asma Shirazi, Amber Rahim Shamsi

ISLAMABAD, October 26, 2026:  The Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights has expressed solidarity with Asma Shirazi, Amber Rahim Shamsi and other women journalists facing online harassment, misogynistic remarks and gender-based attacks. The network has also criticised journalists who participate in ridiculing, insulting or undermining their female colleagues on social media.

In a statement, the network said some attacks deliberately avoid mentioning their targets by name but use clear references that make their identities recognisable to audiences. It stressed that withholding a name does not absolve anyone of responsibility when the intended target is easily identifiable.

The statement raised concerns over journalists amplifying abusive content by quote-tweeting trolls and accounts known for harassment, including those blocked by women journalists. It noted that adding sarcasm, insinuations or mocking commentary to such posts can increase their visibility, expose targeted individuals to further abuse and undermine the boundaries they have established to protect themselves.

According to the network, such conduct can also serve as a signal to other users, encouraging further attacks while allowing those spreading the content to deny responsibility. It emphasised that journalists must recognise the consequences of circulating misogynistic remarks, religious insinuations and hate speech, even when the original content was created by someone else.

The statement further condemned dismissing women’s concerns as playing the “woman card”, scrutinising their clothing and making generalised allegations about their professional integrity. It said these practices reinforce discriminatory attitudes that discourage women from expressing their views and participating freely in public discourse. The network added that such behaviour remains harmful regardless of whether it comes from male or female journalists.

The organisation said it had deliberately refrained from identifying individual journalists in the current statement but warned that a subsequent statement would name those involved and provide evidence of their conduct. It maintained that accountability should extend beyond anonymous social media users to journalists and members of the media community whose actions may enable or encourage harassment.

The network clarified that journalists’ professional work, opinions, remuneration and career decisions are legitimate subjects of public discussion. However, it stressed that criticism should be evidence-based, relevant and focused on professional matters rather than personal humiliation or gender-based attacks.

Calling for collective action, the network urged journalists, editors, media organisations and professional bodies to challenge online harassment consistently. It called on media professionals to stop amplifying abusive accounts, accept responsibility for the content they share and speak against harassment even when the individuals involved are friends, colleagues or political allies.

The statement was endorsed by journalists and media professionals from various organisations, including Geo News, Hum News, Dunya News, Dawn News, ARY News, BBC Urdu, Independent Urdu, Samaa TV, Suno News, Arab News, DW and other media platforms. The signatories also included freelance journalists, researchers, columnists, academics and representatives of digital rights organisations.

The network reiterated that professional solidarity requires journalists to uphold ethical standards and ensure that women can perform their duties without intimidation, online abuse or gendered hostility.