Australia: Online Trolls Unleash Homophobic Fury on Award-Winning Journalist Patricia Karvelas

The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the harassment the journalist has endured and calls on law enforcement to conduct a comprehensive investigation immediately

Location: Australia, Sydney
Date: October 30, 2023

Esteemed journalist Patricia Karvelas faces a barrage of homophobic abuse from online trolls. This is not the first time Karvelas has faced such harassment. The recent incident occurred immediately after sharing her personal journey on ABC Queer last month. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly united with Patricia Karvelas. We strongly condemn the mistreatment she has faced and urge authorities to thoroughly investigate these acts of aggression and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

"Trolls target me for hours with vile stuff. My family is really proud of me, thanks. The stuff I've read is truly shocking. I didn't even share the worst. Sexualized homophobia... it made me sick," says prominent journalist Patricia Karvelas in response to the abusive and menacing homophobic messages she was targeted with online following an interview for ABC Queer.

During the interview, Karvelas revealed that she had to keep her sexuality a secret at the beginning of her career, particularly from anti-LGBTQI politicians. Fearful of being outed and potentially missing out on professional opportunities, she admitted feeling "paranoid" about her identity.

Unfortunately, after the publication of Karvelas' story by tabloid outlet the Daily Mail, the journalist became the target of unsolicited vile homophobic online attacks once again. Taking to social media, Karvelas expressed her dismay.

Despite her public outcry, the trolling persisted. The national broadcaster, ABC, released a statement in support of Karvelas. ABC Director of News, Justin Stevens, condemned the online abuse, describing it as "disturbing, saddening, and angering." He further highlighted the sexualized, homophobic, and racist nature of the attacks, emphasizing that they were unjustified.

Stevens also criticized the Daily Mail for exacerbating the situation through their reportage. He deemed the publication's decision to publicize the abuse and include personal photos as irresponsible and unwarranted. "ABC journalist and presenter Patricia Karvelas is a fine, principled journalist and a courageous and generous human being. We're proud she works for the ABC and grateful for her hard work and huge contribution to the national public broadcaster and audiences," Stevens asserted.

The ABC also referenced the eSafety Commissioner's statement, which highlighted the disproportionate online abuse faced by women journalists from diverse racial or social backgrounds, or who identify as LGBTIQ+. 

The attacks against Karvelas serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up against online harassment and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for journalists. It is crucial that society collectively condemns such behavior and works towards creating a safer digital space for all journalists, regardless of their background or identity. This abuse can have severe professional and personal consequences, leading to self-censorship, avoidance of certain topics, or even departure from the industry, adding to the existing gender disparity. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in unwavering solidarity with Patricia Karvelas. We firmly denounce the mistreatment and abuse she has endured. We call for stricter policies to combat online violence and urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate these incidents and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.