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India: Masrat Zahra’s Father Assaulted By The Police. CFWIJ Condemns These Intimidation Tactics

Photojournalist Masrat Zahra alleged that the police assaulted her father in order to intimidate her. Currently, based in Germany, Masrat took to her Twitter account to post pictures of her injured father after the police denied allegations. Upon further questioning a member of the law enforcement agency even went on to say that they were unaware of Masrat’s connection with the family when they assaulted the man, otherwise their actions would have been more severe.

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Spain: CFWIJ Condemns The Targeted Harassment Of Sonia Lopez By Anti-mask Protestors

Sonia Lopez, a correspondent for Antena 3, was harassed while covering an anti-mask demonstration in the Plaza de Colón, Madrid. The movement, named World March For Freedom, was protesting the use of masks and the administration of vaccines in minors. Sonia was recording a segment for the program Espejo Público when protestors started to shout insulting slurs at the journalist.

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Colombia: CFWIJ Demands An Investigation Into The Assassination Attempt On Rebecca Linda Marlene Sprösser

Journalist and activist Rebecca Linda Marlene Spöressor shared on Facebook on Friday, July 23 that she survived an assassination attempt. She confirmed that her friend stood in-between her and the attacker, taking all of the gunshots himself. Rebecca was wounded by projectiles from the fired bullets, though she remembers holding a briefcase that protected her from further injuries. Rebecca sustained scratches to her arms and chest. CFWIJ condemns the attack on the journalist and demands a swift inquiry into this assassination attempt. We demand the police to conduct a thorough search and catch the culprit behind this attack.

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China: CFWIJ Condemns The Public Harassment Of Alice Su And Katrina Yu

July 27, 2021- Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, Alice Su, colleague Katrina You were harangued, alongside their crew members, by members of the public in China.

On July 25th, The journalists were covering the devastation caused by torrential rains and floods in Zhengzhou, Henan province when they were surrounded by an angry mob who yelled at them to leave China. Both Alice and her fellow crew member found themselves in the middle of chaos with nowhere to escape. A video available on Twitter shows Alice trying to deescalate the situation by translating the crowds' messages. CFWIJ is dismayed by the hostile attitude towards foreign media in the country. This recent incident is a direct violation of the basic principles of press freedom. We urge the Chinese authorities to investigate this pattern of harassments and take necessary action.

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United States: Racial And Misogynistic Remarks Towards Journalist Brianna Hamblin Are Harassment Which Need To Be Addressed. CFWIJ Condemns The Incident And Extends Support

Spectrum News 1 reporter Brianna Hamblin, was harassed by multiple men while on assignment, while she was covering a story on access to healthy nutrition in the city. The journalist was targeted with deeply misogynist remarks which exoticized her race and ethnicity. Brianna took to Twitter in the aftermath to register her disgust at her experience highlighting the everyday sexism that women journalists, especially women journalists of colour, have to face while doing their jobs.

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Peru: CFWIJ Demands Action To Prevent The Dissemination Of Hate Speech Against Journalists

Reporters, who were covering protests of Fujimori supporters, were physically assaulted by a group called “La Resistencia”. At least four women journalists were impeded and beaten following the demonstrations. The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the vicious attacks against journalists. We demand authorities act to prevent the dissemination of hate speech towards journalists. Journalists must freely do their job without facing any kind of threats.

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Egypt: CFWIJ Welcomes The Release Of Esraa Abdelfattah

In a surprising decision by the judicial system, Esraa Abdelfattah was released on Saturday July 17 after being held in state captivity for almost two years. Abdelfattah was arrested for being associated with Tahrir News, a publication that was banned by President Sisi. Abdelfattah became an international symbol of resistance, with several international human rights watchdogs campaigning for her release, prior to the Egyptian state relenting.

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Canada: RCMP Falsely Accuses Journalist Brandi Morin, CFWIJ Condemns These Intimidation Tactics.

The Canadian Association of Journalists sued the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for restricting access of the press to the Fairy Creek demonstrations. Both, the police brutality on site and the subsequent censorship has been an ongoing issue for months. In response to the lawsuit, the RCMP registered an affidavit against journalist Brandi Morin accusing her of lying about being prohibited from visiting the site despite there being video proof to the contrary.

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United States: CFWIJ Condemns Escalating Hate Speech And Violence Against Journalists

The Guardian reporter Lois Beckett was assaulted by protesters while covering an anti-transgender rally outside a spa in Los Angeles. The journalist posted a video of the attackers against her on social media. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the vicious attack against Lois. We demand the U.S. authorities identify and appeal necessary criminal sanctions to the attackers. Journalists must do their jobs freely and safely.

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Belarus: Mass Police Raid In An Escalation Of The Crackdown Against Journalists

Police raided the homes of at least 15 journalists, six of whom were women. The journalists’ laptops, phones and equipment were also confiscated. Continuing crackdown against independent news outlets in Belarus is sharply escalating. A new wave of mass raids jeopardizes the lives of journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) closely monitors the incidents in the country. We urge Lukashenko’s administration to end the oppression against journalists.

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Cuba: CFWIJ Demands Cubanet Journalist Camila Acosta’s Release Immediately

CubaNet journalist Camila Acosta will be prosecuted for crimes against State Security, according to the screenwriter Ángel Santiesteban confirmed on July 12. The journalist remains in custody following the demonstrations she covered on July 11. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is utterly dismayed by these crackdowns against journalists in the country. We demand Cuban authorities release Camila immediately.

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Venezuela: CFWIJ Condemns Security Forces To Attempt To Intimidate Journalist Mildred Manrique

Mildred Manrique, 800 Noticias’ journalist, affirmed that security forces attempted to search her house without having a prior notice or a search warrant. The journalist also included that the police officers were carrying long weapons. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns Venezuelan security officials for intimidating Mildred. We demand clarification into this deliberate threat against the journalist.

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Canada: Journalist Nahreman Issa Targeted With Racist Hate Comments On Social Media. CFWIJ Condemns The Incident.

A Facebook user who goes by the name Jameson Balkie messaged journalist Nahreman Issa through the platform, attacking her expertise and professionalism by targeting her race. The vile message also attempted to body-shame the journalist. In response, Nahreman claimed that she is not opposed to taking constructive criticism from her readers, however, any critique that serves to espouse racist and fatphobic worldviews should not be tolerated.

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India: Muslim Women Journalists, Activists, And Other Professionals Sexually Targeted Online. CFWIJ Demands Accountability Of Those Responsible.

A website targeting Muslim women including those in the news media industry was discovered earlier this month and was eventually taken down after public outrage. The website, titled “Sulli Deals” consisted of profiles of at least 90 different women who were “on sale”. Men would subsequently “bid” on these profiles to harass the women. Although a comprehensive list of all women on the site has not been made public in order to ensure the privacy of those targeted, several women have come out in condemnation. Among them was ThePrint’s Senior Correspondent Fatima Khan whose profile was up on the website.

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