JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 06, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
BRUSSELS—Journalist Rana Ayyub's social media profiles have been flooded with rape and death threats after she wrote posts about a Kashmiri victim killed by the Indian police.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed Mumbai Police's decision to start an investigation immediately and have called for action to be taken against the abusers.
On 1 July, Ayyub tweeted that "when it comes to Kashmir, there are no humanists, just convenient nationalists." The following day, she quoted the wife of Bashir Ahmed Khan, a civilian who was killed by the Indian police. On the same day, she referred to a gruesome picture of the victim's young grandson, sitting on the bloody dead body of his grandpa. Her social media profiles started being flooded with aggressive and threatening comments, escalating into rape and death threats.
One of the comments said: "Remember Gauri Lankesh," a reference to the journalist who was killed in 2017 in her home in Bangalore after speaking out against right-wing Hindu nationalists.
Ayyub also recalls with fear that Lankesh had personally told her that online hatred would not become a threat in real life–three days before she was killed.
Ayyub reported that online hate triggered by posts about Kashmir is "unimaginable," and that threats are becoming more and more fearless and explicit.
The Navi Mumbai Police have launched an investigation. The IFJ welcomed the police's speedy action, but have also called for more prevention of online harassment.
The IFJ said: "Online harassment is a health and safety issue which is often gendered and sexualized. In two-thirds of the cases, no action is taken against perpetrators. We appreciate that this is not one of these cases, and hope that the Indian government will do their best to protect journalists exercising their freedom of expression on social media."
The IFJ has been active in giving visibility and support to women journalists who are victims of harassment at work–which, according to IFJ statistics, amounts to an appalling 65 percent. It has called on governments to adopt ILO Convention 190 against gender-based violence, compiled guidelines for media and unions to counter the phenomenon, and has recently launched the "Online trolling: you are not alone!" campaign. —IFJ media release/Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.