RSF flags OpIndia-linked online harassment of journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 1 hour ago |  JP Asia Desk

RSF has raised concerns over alleged online harassment of journalists linked to OpIndia, highlighting growing risks from coordinated digital attacks on press freedom and reporter safety worldwide.

Summary

PARIS  — Reporters Without Borders has raised fresh concerns about online harassment campaigns targeting journalists, accusing controversial digital platform OpIndia of playing a central role in coordinated efforts to intimidate and discredit reporters.

In a statement, the press freedom organization said such campaigns represent a growing threat to independent journalism, warning that sustained digital abuse can undermine reporters’ credibility, mental well-being, and ability to work freely.

Escalating digital threats to journalists

RSF said online harassment has become a systematic tool used against journalists, often involving coordinated social media attacks, misleading narratives, and personal abuse designed to silence critical reporting rather than engage with facts.

The organization argued that these practices go beyond isolated incidents and reflect broader patterns of digital intimidation that increasingly replace traditional forms of censorship.

Impact on press freedom and safety

According to RSF, persistent online harassment can translate into real-world risks, including self-censorship, professional isolation, and threats to personal safety. The group emphasized that digital attacks frequently target journalists covering sensitive political, social, or accountability-related issues.

RSF noted that the global spread of such tactics poses challenges not only for individual reporters but also for public trust in credible news, as coordinated campaigns blur the line between information and organized disinformation.

Calls for accountability and safeguards

The press freedom watchdog urged digital platforms, governments, and media organizations to take online harassment seriously, stressing the need for stronger safeguards, transparent moderation policies, and accountability mechanisms to protect journalists.

RSF reiterated that defending journalists from coordinated digital abuse is now central to protecting press freedom, as harassment campaigns increasingly shape the information environment and influence public perception of the media.

KEY POINTS:

• RSF has warned about online harassment campaigns targeting journalists
• The organization accused OpIndia of playing a role in coordinated digital attacks
• RSF said online abuse is becoming a major press freedom challenge
• Digital harassment can affect journalists' safety, credibility, and independence

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on public statements and assessments by Reporters Without Borders and related press freedom documentation.