Renowned columnist has faced years of online and legal harassment for her coverage on race and gender

Location: France
Date: February 1, 2024

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the ongoing harassment of acclaimed journalist Rokhaya Diallo. Known for her fearless and impactful reporting on issues of racial discrimination and gender, Diallo has become a target of relentless online attacks, legal battles, and intimidation tactics, some of which have been distressingly funded by the French government. The alarming attacks underscore the challenges faced by journalists, particularly women of color, in advocating for marginalized communities and holding authorities accountable. Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Diallo, the harassment of the journalist must stop. We call on the French government to act, to take responsibility for its part in the harassment directed at the journalist, and to ensure that those targeting Diallo face consequences.

On February 1, 2024, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, voiced profound concern regarding the continuous harassment faced by journalist Rokhaya Diallo. This harassment, spanning over several years, encompasses various forms of intimidation and obstruction, emblematic of the challenges journalists, particularly women of color, encounter in advocating for human rights and freedom of expression.

Rokhaya Diallo, a columnist for The Guardian, television host, accomplished writer, and filmmaker of African descent, has dedicated her career to reporting on critical human rights issues. Her work predominantly focuses on combating racial discrimination in France, amplifying the voices of women and those of African origin, and championing freedom of expression. Diallo’s commitment to these causes has positioned her as a prominent figure in both domestic and international media landscapes.

According to UN experts, the assaults directed towards Rokhaya Diallo are unequivocally linked to her work. Diallo stands as one of the few visible French black Muslim women in mainstream media, addressing issues of race and gender with courage and conviction. The attacks she faces represent a concerted effort to undermine her invaluable contributions to public discourse and marginalize her presence within media spheres.

Diallo has faced a staggering number of legal proceedings. Between February 2015 and July 2023, the journalist found herself embroiled in at least twelve legal battles — a testament to the relentless campaign aimed at silencing her.

Bogus Defamation Case

Diallo has been persistently criticized and harassed by a French celebrity philosopher, Raphaël Enthoven. Despite widespread condemnation of Enthoven's behavior, including from other media figures and journalists, Diallo found herself facing a criminal charge of defamation after describing his actions.

In court in November 2023, she argued that she never consented to engage in debate with him, highlighting the harassment she endured. Diallo was cleared of all charges, but the incident took a toll on her time, finances, and mental well-being.

Harassed by Government-Funded Trolls

In June 2023, it was revealed that an online account of Mohamed Sifaoui that targeted and harassed Diallo online was funded by the French government. This revelation was part of the Fonds Marianne scandal, stemming from funds allocated by the government following the murder of teacher Samuel Paty in October 2020 by an Islamist extremist. 

The purpose of the Fonds Marianne was to support organizations combating radicalization. However, it emerged that several organizations received funding without demonstrating their previous work on radicalization, with some having personal connections to Marlene Schiappa, the former state secretary who launched the fund. Some of these organizations funded by the government were implicated in online harassment campaigns against Diallo and other anti-racist and feminist advocates.

Diallo's experience of being targeted and harassed on social media, funded by government resources through the Fonds Marianne scandal is highly alarming. The misuse of funds intended to combat radicalism has instead been used to silence critics of government policies, particularly those advocating for marginalized communities. The revelation that taxpayer money was employed to harass people like Diallo raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency within French governance.

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Rokhaya Diallo and vehemently announces the persistent harassment against her. The trolling and legal harassment targeting her is linked to her vocal and important journalism and her position as an influential Black and Muslim journalist in France. The plight of Diallo serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges journalists, particularly women of color, face when speaking truth to power or merely voicing concerns for minority communities.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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.

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