Attacks Map

Selection Criteria for Online Attacks:

1. Location:
   The incident occurs in the digital space, including major online platforms (social networks, messengers, forums, comments under publications), as well as through personal communication channels, such as email or phone calls, if such instances aim to intimidate, harass, or incite hostility.
2. Connection with professional activities:
   The attack is directly related to the professional activities of a journalist, presenter, editor, producer, or other media worker or freelancer. For example, an incident occurs after the publication of journalistic investigations dedicated to socially important topics, such as war, corruption, human rights, or potentially sensitive content (feminism, LGBTIQ, etc.).
3. Coordinated, massive and systematic nature of the attack:
   The characteristics of the incident point to the likelihood of it being an organized event, where it is implemented by a network or a group of individuals (not necessarily interconnected) and may last for a certain amount of time (several days, weeks, or more).
4. Gender-based nature:
   The attack contains sexist remarks, hate speech, threats (including rape) or other forms of intimidation aimed at discrediting, intimidating or limiting the woman journalist’s participation in the public space.

Sources and verification

• Information is collected through direct messages from media workers, as well as through analysis of open sources and media reports.
• We document comments with potential online violence, their types, and links to media coverage of the incident, if any.
• The journalist herself is verified through our network Women in Media, or through partner organizations, such as the Commission on Journalistic Ethics, Detector Media, Lviv Media Forum, the National Union of Ukrainian Journalists etc.
• We also provide the option of reporting an incident anonymously to guarantee confidentiality.

Categorization of online attacks

• The categories for documentation are based on the groundwork done by GREVIO, UNESCO, OSCE, and other international organizations.
• We consult partners to ensure compliance with international practices while also taking into account the Ukrainian context.

Additional information about the media worker

• We record the professional status (reporter, editor, freelancer) and the media with which the journalist is affiliated.
• The indicated date of the attack is the first occurrence of threats, sexist remarks, hate speech, or other manifestations of online violence, or the publication date of the material that led to a negative response.
• The location of the attack is tied to the media worker’s permanent location.
• Additionally, we indicate if a journalist is part of a vulnerable group, which may have been a reason for a more intense attack.

Context of the incident

• We document the background to the attack, such as reaction to a post, public outcry, or comments from other users.
• We also record the media coverage of the incident.

Possible consequences of the attack

• We analyze whether the attack led to changes in the journalist’s work (self-censorship, suspension of a project, deterioration of the mental state).
• We also see if the journalist sought help from law enforcement, the newsroom, or civil society organizations.

Data usage

• The data is used to analyze the scale of the problem, identify trends, and develop solutions to address online violence.
• The collected information will contribute to the creation of a safe public space and implementation of support programs for women journalists (psychological, legal, cybersecurity support).
• The data will also form the basis for advocacy for legislative changes and raising public awareness through research, reports, and public campaigns.