Safety of journalists: The stories behind the faces of women journalists
Gender-based Violence
Although very high numbers of journalists face (online) violence, women journalists are disproportionately more likely to be targeted. Moreover, the violence they experience is gender-based, meaning it is sexist and misogynistic. The violence can range from receiving hateful messages and threats of rape to actual physical attacks. Besides physical pain, (online) violence against female journalists also causes serious psychological damage such as stress and feelings of isolation resulting in self-censorship. As a result, there is less diversity in the news and essential information cannot reach the wider public, which has a direct impact on press freedom. Who are these women? What are their stories? What inspires them to keep going? This exhibition ''Safety of journalists: The stories behind the faces of women journalists'' aims to initiate a conversation among citizens, governments and other stakeholders in the media industry on improving the protection of women journalists. This exhibition shines light on these brave journalists who give their lives to provide their country with truthful and reliable news. Something that is anything but a given.
This exhibition was created through a collaboration between: Free Press Unlimited, Human Rights in the Picture, Dutch UNESCO Commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Free Press Unlimited (FPU) is an international press freedom organization that makes independent news and information available to everyone by supporting media and journalists worldwide. While many journalists experience (online) violence, women journalists are disproportionately targeted by it. That is why FPU also works to create a safe environment for all women in the media. Their vision is short and to the point: People deserve to know. All over the world.
Human Rights in the Picture is a non-profit organization advocating for human rights through visual storytelling - using film, music, photography and other forms of art to shed light on violations and injustice. By connecting activists and artists, we tell stories to initiate dialogue, foster debate, create awareness and advocate for change. In this photo exhibition, Human Rights in the Picture (HRitP) worked together with photographers who used their camera as a non-violent, creative weapon to stand up for the freedom of expression and the safety of women journalists.
Every country that is a member of UNESCO has a National UNESCO Commission. Since 1947, the Dutch UNESCO Commission has voluntarily used its expertise in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. UNESCO is the UN agency with the mandate to foster freedom of expression and safety of journalists worldwide. Women journalists are specifically targeted by certain forms of violence and attacks against them often have a misogynist or sexist nature. UNESCO in close cooperation with partners, combats online and offline violence against women journalists through different actions including: research for advocacy, policy recommendations, capacity building and awareness raising.
Strengthening freedom of expression, internet freedom and independent journalism worldwide is one of the top priorities of the Netherlands’ foreign policy, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carry out. The Netherlands supports the independent position of journalists and media organizations worldwide in a variety of ways, with a particular focus on: prevention, protection and prosecution.