Press Freedom Status for Women Journalists: October 2023
CFWIJ Reports Most Lethal Month for Journalists Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict
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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine poses an unprecedented threat to women journalists in the field. Journalists working in Gaza currently face an unparalleled level of risk. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is raising the alarm over the surging toll of attacks, injuries, and fatalities, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities against members of the press.
This period has been marked by a grim milestone, rendering it the most lethal for those reporting from the front lines since the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) began documenting press freedom violations. Our comprehensive monthly report seeks to chronicle not only the toll on human life but also the specific adversities encountered by journalists and media workers in the midst of this conflict.
As of November 13, the CFWIJ's dedicated investigations have confirmed the harrowing reality that at least 40 journalists and media professionals have been swept up in the tide of casualties, of which 5 are women. This alarming casualty rate among journalists is a stark testament to the dangers they face and is compounded by the myriad challenges, such as harassment, unwarranted detentions, and other impediments to reporting, pervasive across the embattled Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, throughout Israel, and reaching into the international media landscape.
The situation has taken a turn for the worse with the initiation of a ground offensive by Israeli forces into Gaza, an action that brings with it an explicit acknowledgment of the high risks for journalists operating in these areas; news agencies have been forewarned of the Israeli military's inability to guarantee their safety.
This situation not only endangers the lives of those in the field but also undermines the very fabric of press freedom, a pillar of democracy that must be preserved and protected at all costs.
Shai Regev, Ayelet Arnin, Salam Mema, Salma Mukhaimer, and Duaa Sharaf are just a few of the names on the growing list of journalists who have paid the ultimate price for their dedication to uncovering the truth. They were killed in the line of duty. Their lives cut short by violence that shows a blatant disregard for international laws and norms.
Physical assaults, injuries, threats, and intimidation have also become all too common, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. From the Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon that claimed the life of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and injured others to the assault on Palestinian photojournalist Latifa Abdel Latif and the Channel 4 crew in the West Bank, the danger is palpable and pervasive.
The threats extend beyond the battlefield, with journalists facing harassment and danger even when away from the frontlines. Al Jazeera’s Gaza correspondent Youmna ElSayed and her family were told to evacuate their home amid Israeli bombardment, an all too real reminder of the precariousness of their situation. Russia Today reporter Dalia Al-Nimri was threatened at gunpoint by Israeli border guards, and journalists like Tal Shalev face online harassment for daring to question the actions of the Israeli government.
Palestinian journalists like Youma ElSayed, who report from Gaza amidst Israeli bombardments, risk their lives without the option to leave the conflict zone. Their dedication is underlined by personal losses and the ever-present danger posed by the conflict. Their inability to disengage from the frontline contrasts with foreign correspondents, emphasizing their unique role in providing comprehensive local insights into the conflict. While the Israeli government's restrictions on foreign media access skew coverage and highlight the need for freedom of the press and the right to information.
As the world watches the tragedy unfold, it is imperative that we stand in solidarity with these women journalists, demanding their protection and the preservation of press freedom. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is committed to documenting these violations, shining a light on the dark corners of this conflict, and holding those responsible accountable.
The international community must not remain silent. We call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international law, ensuring the safety and security of all journalists on the ground. We also call on governments worldwide to lend their voices to this cause, advocating for the protection of press freedom and the lives of those who brave the frontlines to bring us the truth.
Inge Snip
Senior Editor
In Memoriam
CFWIJ honors the lives and legacies of six media professionals whose dedication to their craft ended in their untimely deaths.
Hamas killed 22-year-old news editor Ayelet Arnin during the Supernova music festival massacre in south Israel on October 7, 2023. Arnin was a sub-editor for the evening news edition at public broadcaster Kan 11.
On October 26, 2023, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Al-Zawaida area in central Gaza, killing Palestinian journalist Duaa Sharaf and her young daughter. Her death was confirmed by Al-Aqsa Radio, which is operated by Hamas, where Duaa Sharaf worked as a radio presenter.
On October 10, journalist Halima Idris Salim was killed while on assignment in Omdurman in Sudan. The journalist was reporting for the Sudan Bukra channel when she was run over by a vehicle belonging to Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp, north of Gaza, struck the home of journalist Salam Mema and family on October 9, 2023. Mema was trapped under rubble for four days before rescue workers could reach the lifeless body of the journalist. Her death was confirmed on October 13, 2023.
Freelance journalist Salma Mukhaimer was killed alongside her child in an Israeli bombardment on Rafah on October 25, 2023.
Entertainment reporter, killed by Hamas during the Supernova music festival massacre on October 7, 2023. Regev, known for her work at TMI, was confirmed dead on October 14, 2023, after a week of anguish for her loved ones.
A Challenging October for Women in the Press: A Litany of Threats from Assaults to Legal Strife
In October 2023, women journalists globally faced alarming threats to their personal safety and press freedom. CFWIJ documented 83 incidents, with the most grievous being the death of six journalists.
The Israel-Palestine region was particularly perilous, claiming five lives. In Sudan, Halima Idris Salim was killed when a military truck ran the reporter over while she was on assignment.
Other incidents ranged from legal harassment in countries like Ukraine, Canada, and Turkiye to physical assaults, with one in Italy and another involving a Palestinian photojournalist attacked by Israeli settlers.
Legal disputes ensnared seven journalists on varied charges, such as defamation in Ukraine and money laundering in Peru. Some faced compounded political pressures, hinting at terrorist ties in Turkiye and Canada. Conditions in prison were severe for those incarcerated in Russia and Iran, with solitary confinement and lack of legal access among the cruelties.
Sexual harassment in Brazil and Spain, smear campaigns in the US, and surveillance in the Netherlands and Venezuela further underscored the gender-specific threats against women journalists. Other journalists dealt with online harassment, denial of access, hacking, property damage, and job loss.
6 women journalists killed
Israel: On October 7, Israeli journalists Shai Regev and Ayelet Arnin were killed in Hamas’ attack on the Supernova music festival in southern Israel. Ayelet Arnin, a 22-year-old news editor with the country's public broadcaster, was confirmed dead by a close friend who was with Arnin at the music festival. Shai Regev, a 25-year-old entertainment reporter known for her work as an editor for TMI, was confirmed dead on October 14, 2023, after a week of anguish for her loved ones.
Gaza: On October 9, journalist Salam Mema — who served as the leader of the Women Journalists Committee within the Palestinian Media Assembly — and her family were trapped under rubble following an Israeli airstrike on their home in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza. On October 13, it was confirmed by CFWIJ that both Mema and her eldest son had died.
On October 25, freelance journalist Salma Mukhaimer and her child were killed in the Israeli bombardment of Rafah, in south Gaza.
In the early hours of October 26, Israeli airstrikes struck the Al-Zawaida area in central Gaza, killing Palestinian journalist Duaa Sharaf and her young child. Her death was confirmed by Hamas-run Al-Aqsa Radio where Sharaf worked as a program presenter.
Sudan: On October 10, journalist Halima Idris Salim was killed while on assignment in Omdurman. The journalist was reporting for the Sudan Bukra channel when she was run over by a vehicle belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
4 women journalists arrested
Niger: On October 11 in Niamey, renowned journalist Samira Sabou, who was detained for 11 days, was arrested and subsequently released on bail. She has become a target of the new military regime that seized power through a coup in July 2023. Sabou is charged with "maintaining intelligence with a foreign power," a treasonous offense punishable by the death penalty.
Turkiye: On October 20, veteran war correspondent Elif Akkuş, who had been discharged from the hospital prematurely and arrived at court on a stretcher, was charged, arrested, and sent to prison by an Ankara judge. She is accused of unlawfully sharing information with a social media account that posted about financial irregularities at state broadcaster TRT. Akkuş, who had worked for TRT for 25 years before being unfairly dismissed in April 2023, also faces charges of blackmail and defamation.
Russia: Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, was detained and charged in Kazan, the capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, on October 18. The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter is accused of not registering as a foreign agent, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
United States: On October 27, authorities in Escambia County, Alabama, arrested Atmore News publisher Sherry Digmon and reporter Don Fletcher on charges of disclosing leaked information from a grand jury. Digmon’s phone was also seized by police. Their arrests were preceded by an October 25 story by Fletcher, which investigated alleged mishandling of COVID relief funds by the local Board of Education.
3 women journalists sentenced
Russia: Moscow court convicts former state TV editor Marina Ovsyannikova of spreading “false information” about the Russian military on October 4. Currently living in exile in France, she was sentenced to eight and half years in absentia.
Iran: On October 22, a court in Tehran sentenced well-known journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi to lengthy prison terms. Hamedi received a 13-year sentence, while Mohammadi was given a 12-year term. They were convicted of various charges, including collaborating with the U.S. government.
A woman journalist imprisoned
Angola: On October 10, the Luanda Court of Appeal increased the prison sentence of social media influencer Ana da Silva Miguel from six months to two years. The TikTok creator, initially sentenced in August, was found guilty of "insulting" President João Lourenço.
9 women journalists detained
Iran: Journalist Maryam Lotfi was taken into custody on October 1 while trying to cover the incident involving a 16-year-old girl who fainted in Tehran's subway system. The reasons for her detention and any charges against her are currently unclear.
Turkiye: Nationwide, police raided leftist and Kurdish news outlets and organizations following a bombing in Ankara. Six women journalists in Turkiye were detained.
On October 3, the left-wing publication Yeni Demokrasi reported a police raid on its Istanbul office. Editor-in-chief Tuba Apaydın was apprehended. Apaydın was released under judicial control after appearing before the prosecutor.
On October 6, freelance journalist Berna Karataş was detained during a police raid on her home in Eskişehir at 6 AM. Police confiscated her phone and digital materials. Karataş was questioned and later released with a travel ban 12 hours later. She is accused of creating terrorist propaganda based on her reporting while working for the Mezopotamya Agency two years ago.
On the same day, police raided Önsöz news outlet and detained its journalists, including editor Songül Yücel, Sena Şat (a satirical cartoonist), and editorial board member Nuran Güvenilir. Ezgi Yergin, the editor of Struggle Union Newspaper, was also detained. They face charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "providing finance to a terrorist organization."
Shilan Mirzaee, an Iranian activist and journalist seeking asylum in Turkiye since 2016, is at risk of imminent deportation to Iran. On October 24, she was detained by Turkish officers at her home in Izmir and is now facing the possibility of torture, interrogation, and even the death penalty if sent back to Iran. She has faced continuous threats and harassment from Iranian authorities while in Turkiye, and her activism has drawn the attention of the Iranian embassy, which warned her to stop.
Palestine / West Bank: On October 26, in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian journalist Lama Khater was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). According to her husband, Hazam Fakhoury, dozens of IDF soldiers stormed the family home at around 2 A.M., raided the house, and apprehended his wife.
7 women journalists' homes raided by police
India: On October 3, in the wake of a New York Times exposé connecting NewsClick to China-aligned philanthropist Neville Roy Singham, Delhi police conducted raids at the residences of well-known journalists connected to the outlet, including Aritry Das, Bhasha Singh, Anuradha Raman, Aditi Nigam, Sumedha Pal, Githa Hariharan and Teesta Setalvad. This move, occurring within a context of heightened control over critical media, allowed authorities to employ the information as a pretext for launching an anti-terrorism investigation into the newsroom and its journalists.
“I feel the attack on NewsClick is a warning to the section of the free press and independent publications that still dares to hold the establishment accountable”
10 women journalists threatened and intimidated
Israel-Palestine: On October 30, Al Jazeera’s Gaza correspondent Youmna ElSayed’s husband received a phone call from the Israeli army telling the family to evacuate their home in Gaza City. The caller identified himself as an Israeli soldier, giving his full name, and told ElSayed and her family to evacuate south as “it is going to get very dangerous where you are.”
On October 16, in Al-Quds, West Bank, Russia Today reporter Dalia Al-Nimri was confronted by Israeli border guards who threatened her at gunpoint. They ordered her to cease reporting and claimed they were filing a report about her with the Shin Bet, the Israeli intelligence agency.
On October 19, Fulya Öztürk, a CNN Turkey correspondent reporting from Israel, received a disturbing phone call from an Israeli number. The caller, speaking in English, asked, "Are you in Israel?" He cautioned her, saying, "I will call again." Öztürk's photo was also circulated in Israeli Telegram groups, where commenters issued threats of rape and murder.
Qatar: An unnamed woman journalist from India employed with the Doha branch of a well-known South Indian publication was forced to leave Qatar due to concerns about potential arrest. On October 20, it was disclosed that she departed Qatar under pressure from authorities, who were unhappy with her reporting on the detention of Indian naval officers in the country.
United States: Anti-Semitic graffiti, including offensive messages like "F*** Jews" and "F*** Israel," was discovered outside the New York office of Jewish journalist Bari Weiss. On October 22, Weiss, a former writer for the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, as well as the founder of Free Press, posted images of the vandalism. Her publication is known for its staunch support of Israel and its efforts to address the increasing issue of anti-Semitism in the United States.
Emily Austin an Israel activist and journalist, told FOX news on October 30 that she has hired a bodyguard in New York City due to online death and rape threats she's received as tensions escalate over events in the Middle East. She expressed concern about growing instances of anti-Israel rhetoric and demonstrations in New York and worldwide. She suggested that some of the threats are coming from people with a history of anti-Semitic sentiment.
Mexico: After Claudia Isela Hernández Pérez reported live from San Blas on the murder of businesswoman Angela Louise Birkenbach, she received multiple threats on October 11 from a fabricated online profile. Her media organization suspects a politically influential couple may be responsible for these threats.
On October 31, Rosario Martínez De la Vega, a correspondent for Los Angeles Press in Guanajuato, was intimidated by an unidentified person claiming to be a police officer. The alleged officer arrived in an Uber, refused to identify himself, and attempted to leave a summons. He threatened a family member and made verbal and physical threats.
Albania: Afrovita Hysaj, a reporter for Fax News, is facing threats and public retaliation from Albert Deliaj, the owner of local broadcaster 6+1 Vlora, following her coverage of a 26-year-old woman's assault. Deliaj falsely accused Hysaj of implicating his son in the drugging and rape of the victim in Vlora. Hysaj revealed that these threats and attacks occurred after attempts were made to conceal the incident from the public.
Colombia: Journalist Laura Camila Vargas faced a disappointing lack of support from authorities in an extortion case that followed a robbery. In a desperate attempt to protect her privacy and professional life, she was forced to pay out 2.3 million pesos. This decision was not a surrender but a strategic move to safeguard sensitive work materials and unreleased campaign content.
8 women journalists legally harassed
Ukraine: Journalist Yanina Korniienko and their publication are facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Serhiy Semeniuk, on October 3rd. Semeniuk is alleged to have ties to Russian businessman Eduard Apsit. The lawsuit stems from Semeniuk's mention in Korniienko's investigative report.
Turkiye: Veteran journalist Ayşenur Arslan was released after a short period of detention on October 3, prompted by her remarks about a recent bombing in Ankara. Her program on Halk TV has been canceled, and she is currently under investigation by both the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the prosecutor's office on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities.
On October 11, Süleyman Soylu, a member of the ruling party, used Twitter to criticize Halk TV journalist Seyhan Avşar for disclosing his undisclosed purchase of a $3 million villa. Avşar's report revealed that Soylu had acquired a luxurious villa while serving as a minister before the May 2023 elections. The politician from the Law and Justice Party had previously faced accusations of connections to criminal groups during his time as Interior Minister.
Kosovo: Exiled journalist Arbana Xharra faces a defamation lawsuit from an Imam. The court hearing took place in Pristina on October 23. The lawsuit against Xharra concerns an article she wrote about Imam Goga's alleged leadership of the Wahhabism movement in Kosovo and his suspected connections with the police and judicial system. Goga has filed a legal proceeding to seek compensation for alleged defamation and insult. These allegations date back to 2016, when the article was published in the daily newspaper Gazeta Zeri, where Xharra was an editor.
“These Imams and their links with radicalism, they are free, and moreover, they are suing journalists trying to clear their names”
North Macedonia: October 24 in Skopje, Judge Jovanka Spirovska Paneva found the journalist Sasha Cvetkovska and the outlet IRL guilty of tarnishing the former Deputy Prime Minister’s reputation. The case concerned an investigation into pollution that mentioned the politician’s companies. Journalists were ordered to cover the legal costs of both parties. The judge argued that the right to privacy superseded the right to free speech and questioned IRL's status as a media outlet, describing Sasha Cvetkovska as merely "presenting herself as an investigative journalist."
Peru: On October 3, the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office rejected a complaint accusing investigative journalist Paola Ugaz of "money laundering." Ugaz, along with her colleague Pedro Salinas, conducted an investigation into the physical, psychological, and sexual abuses within the religious organization Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana. This investigation has led to years of legal harassment.
“These attacks against me are clearly retaliatory in nature and are intended to undermine my work as a journalist”
Canada: In court documents filed on October 5, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) contested the lawsuit brought by photojournalist Amber Bracken regarding her wrongful arrest while she was covering a protest against pipeline construction in 2021. The RCMP's argument is that Bracken was not genuinely involved in news reporting.
Russia: On October 31, Russian police raided the Moscow family home of journalist Anna Loiko and brought her mother to the Investigative Committee for questioning. Loiko, currently in exile, is the editor of the independent Russian news site Sota. Authorities have charged Loiko with "justification of terrorism" related to a 2021 article she wrote. They have added her to the internationally wanted list.
“The darker the times, the more important the mission of journalism”
7 women journalists physically assaulted
Uganda: On October 4, 14 journalists, including Swaburah Owomuksia and Mariam Nagadya, were attacked and had their equipment vandalized as they attempted to cover anti-government protests instigated by the leader of Uganda's opposition National Unity Platform Party, Bobi Wine.
“The situation is more scary for the female practitioners in Uganda given the fact that increasingly public order management is handled by joint security forces with the military taking the leading role, and less care is given to women journalists covering such events.”
Italy: A man threw a glass bottle at Martina Mazzaro, a reporter with TVA Vicenza, on October 7 in Campo Marzio, Vicenza. This incident occurred while she was covering a story about deteriorating conditions in the nearby Verdi car park.
Israel-Palestine: On October 19, Palestinian photojournalist Latifa Abdel Latif and a crew with Italian Channel 4 were attacked in the West Bank by Israeli settlers from Beit El. The journalists were physically assaulted, and their vehicle and equipment were damaged in the assault.
Lebanon: A Reuters video journalist tragically lost his life, and six other journalists were injured as a result of Israeli missile strikes near Alma al-Shaab, a location close to the Israeli border, southern Lebanon. Carmen Joukhadar, a journalist working for Al Jazeera, and Christina Assi, Agence France-Presse, were hospitalized with injuries. This area where the attack occurred has been a site of border tensions involving the Israeli military and Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
Guinea: During a peaceful press freedom protest on October 16, a violent police crackdown resulted in the physical assault of ten journalists who were covering the event. Mariama Bhoye Barry, a reporter for Cavi TV, suffered an elbow injury due to tear gas grenades fired by the police.
3 women journalists mistreated in prison
Russia: On October 4, imprisoned Siberian journalist Maria Ponomarenko was sent to solitary confinement as punishment for fainting and staying in bed during the day. The journalist has faced a litany of abuse and harassment from Russian authorities since her unjust detention in April 2022, Now, the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) officers are punishing her for raising concerns about poor conditions in the penal colony.
“One often has to wait longer for medical help than regulations require. Maria Ponomarenko waited 5 months for a meeting with a psychotherapist to correct her treatment, and the doctor was able to allocate only 30 minutes to Maria due to the heavy workload.”
Crimean journalist Iryna Danilovych, who has been held in detention by Russian authorities since April 2022, is facing a deteriorating health condition. On October 10, an independent examination revealed she is suffering from cerebral lesions and neurological disorders, raising serious concerns about her well-being.
Iran: On October 10, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian journalist and human rights defender, was denied access to her lawyer in Evin Prison due to her refusal to comply with the compulsory hijab rule.
4 women journalists sexually harassed
Brazil: During a live broadcast for RJ2 on InterTV on October 2, a man attempted to kiss journalist Bianca Chaboudet. The journalist managed to fend him off and continued reporting. She later shared a video of the incident on social media, expressing her distress. InterTV released a statement denouncing the attack, expressing support for Chaboudet and promising to identify the assailant.
On October 23, journalist Rhiza Castro disclosed on Instagram that she was sexually harassed by a director at television station Record News and fired for bringing it to the attention of the company.
Spain: On October 5, two men sexually harassed reporter Ángela Julve from Informativos Telecinco while she was reporting live on an alleged case of rape in Benidorm, Alicante.
India: An unnamed Indian journalist files a police complaint against actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who repeatedly put his hand on her shoulder while making dismissive comments about the journalist at a press conference on October 27 in Kerala.
2 women journalists targeted with smear campaigns
Israel-Palestine: A manipulated video falsely claimed that CNN's war correspondent, Clarissa Ward, staged a scene where she sought cover in a ditch near the Israel-Gaza border during rocket attacks. The video, circulated on October 11 by The Quartering, a self-described "news and content organization," admitted to adding fabricated audio to the original footage. Despite this, they maintained that Ward's reaction was insincere. The doctored video received over five million views on Twitter.
United States: On October 16, the Managing Editor of the Los Angeles Times, Sara Yasin, was accused of being pro-Hamas by media watch group Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA). The group accused Yasin of being sympathetic to Hamas due to her social media posts, which included references to Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" and other anti-Israel comments. The Los Angeles Times defended the journalist against accusations.
3 women journalists under surveillance
Netherlands: On October 20, it was revealed that the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (PPS) secretly wiretapped a confidential meeting between prominent journalists and suspects in a high-profile corruption scandal. A covert surveillance operation capturing interviews conducted by acclaimed journalists from De Correspondent, including Anne de Blok and Rosan Smits, took place in March 2022 in Vorden, Gelderland.
Venezuela: On the morning of Venezuela's opposition parties' primary election on October 22, journalist Karla Ávila from Qué Pasa en Venezuela was photographed by an unidentified person and a Bolivarian National Guard police officer. The incident sparks worries about the surveillance and harassment of journalists reporting on election events.
3 women journalists harassed online
Israel-Palestine: On October 22, Tal Shalev, a political commentator and reporter for Walla, said she has faced online harassment for writing critical articles about the Israeli government since October 7.
Canada: Esteemed journalist Saba Eitizaz revealed on October 18, that she has faced a distressing surge of Islamophobic threats online, including explicit plans of physical harm following the escalation of conflict in Gaza.
Australia: Distinguished journalist Patricia Karvelas is once again targeted by a wave of homophobic hate from internet trolls. Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of Karvelas experiencing such harassment. The most recent incident took place shortly after she shared her personal story on ABC Queer.
A woman journalist insulted
Moldova: On October 24, the Former Prime Minister insulted Măriuța Nistor, referring to the reporter as a “media escort” who works in a “brothel” and accusing her of bias. Chicu, who led Moldova in 2019 and is known for his pro-Russian views, has a history of attacking the press, including Nistor’s news outlet Ziarului de Gardă (ZdG).
2 women journalists arbitrarily denied access
Greece: On October 2, the Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum denied Lydia Emmanouilidou's request to visit the Samos refugee camp. The ministry stated that all journalist visits to Migrant Reception Structures were suspended but did not clarify if this was specific to her or a national policy.
“They never before said to a journalist, which they did to me, that they’ve changed their whole process and that they’re suspending their application process and no longer even considering applications.”
Zimbabwe: On October 27, journalists Annahstacia Ndlovu and Kudzanai Musengi were denied entry to the ruling party Zanu PF’s annual conference in Gweru. Ndlovu says they have previously submitted application letters for accreditation, receiving confirmation that their requests were under consideration. Upon their arrival in Gweru, they were informed that their names were not on the list of accredited journalists, effectively barring them from covering the event.
A woman journalist hacked
Brazil: Hackers broke into journalist Andreza Matais’ government portal account on October 4 and threatened to expose her fiscal data. The breach occurred shortly after Estadão published a controversial report on President Lula's involvement in a significant loan to Argentina.
A woman journalist’s property destroyed
Israel-Palestine: Palestine TV correspondent Journalist Khawlla Khaldi’s home was destroyed during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Two women journalists fired
Canada: On October 17, Palestinian-Canadian journalist Zahraa Al-Akhrass was fired from Global News for her pro-Palestine posts on social media. According to the journalist, her employer told her the posts made her look unbalanced.
Colombia: Journalist Juliana Buitrago was fired by Telemedellín on October 5 after interviewing a mayoral candidate running in upcoming elections in Medellin. Buitrago, who received a letter of unilateral termination of her contract, accuses the director of Telemedellín Wílver Raíllo, of unjustly dismissing her.
2 women journalists resigned due to bias
France: Two Tunisian journalists resigned from French media outlets in protest of their coverage of Israel's recent conflict with Gaza on October 18. Achouak Hannachi and Amani Oueslati resigned from Canal+ and Cnews, respectively, due to their dissatisfaction with the channels' support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza.
A woman journalist faced sexist attacks
Kosovo: Football coach Ismet Munishi diminishes Radio Television of Kosovo sports journalist Qëndresa Krelani. During a TV show on October 2, Mushini declared that Krelani should be working as a secretary instead of pursuing a career as a sports journalist.
“Society has made significant progress in promoting the emancipation of women, but unfortunately, it has not made the same level of effort in helping men comprehend and embrace this newfound freedom for women.”
A woman journalist racially attacked
United States: On October 17, Governor Jim Pillen dismissed an investigative report on the grounds of journalist Yanqi Xu’s ethnicity. The Chinese immigrant and reporter for the Flatwater Free Press, recently penned an article exposing elevated nitrate levels at Pillen Family Farms, owned by the governor.
A woman journalist sues police (legal measures)
Kenya: October 18, photojournalist Javeria Siddique — the widow of prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, who was tragically killed in Kenya a year ago — filed a lawsuit against an elite Kenyan police unit. Siddique accuses the General Service Unit (GSU) of the wrongful death of her husband.
“I am suing the GSU because they committed the crime openly, then admitted that it was a case of mistaken identity. But for me, it was a targeted assassination because he was living in hiding in Kenya after receiving threats in Pakistan.”
A media outlet faces 6-month ban
Egypt: Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) has taken a concerning step by imposing a six-month ban on the news website Mada Masr. The SCMR alleges that the outlet operated without a license and disseminated unverified news, particularly regarding its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict. This move raises concerns about press freedom and the ability of media organizations to operate independently.
A woman journalist wins in court
Switzerland: On October 4, writer and commentator Alain Soral was sentenced to 60 days in prison for his homophobic comments about journalist Catherine Macherel. The court in Lausanne, Switzerland, found Soral guilty of defamation, discrimination, and incitement to hatred. He has also been ordered to pay all legal fees and fines.
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