Misogyny, defamation, cyberstalking, and threats of physical and sexual violence – these are among the forms of online abuse faced by Ukrainian women working in the media. This is evidenced by the study titled Her Voice, Their Target: Gendered Online Violence Against Ukrainian Women Journalists, recently presented online by Women in Media.
The event drew considerable interest, bringing together more than 100 media professionals and representatives of state institutions and the public sector.
The research was conducted by the Women in Media as part of a project in partnership with UNESCO and with the support of Japan. The choice and presentation of facts in this publication is the responsibility of the authors. The views expressed herein belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of UNESCO or Japan.
Relevance
The Ukrainian research was preceded by a global one. In 2022, the study The Chilling: A Global Study On Online Violence Against Women Journalists was published, conducted by UNESCO and based on interviews with 714 journalists from different countries. The research showed that 73% of women journalists worldwide experience online violence while performing their professional duties. For 20% of respondents, this online harassment escalated into offline abuse.
Theresa Chorbacher, Programme Coordinator at UNESCO working on Safety of Journalists and Freedom of Expression in Ukraine emphasized the relevance of this research. She noted that journalism in Ukraine is increasingly becoming a female-dominated profession. Moreover, media women work under wartime conditions, which involve constant danger. Online violence further amplifies these threats, impacting their mental well-being, physical health, and professional fulfilment.
“There is a significant risk of self-censorship. Journalists around the world report avoiding certain topics—or even leaving the profession entirely—as a result of online violence. UNESCO is deeply concerned about this risk in Ukraine. That’s why we must listen to the voices of Ukrainian journalists and ensure their protection both online and offline,” Theresa said.
Theresa Chorbacher referred to the material prepared by Texty.org.ua and the Women in Media NGO, titled Spoonful of Hate: Online Violence Against Ukrainian Female Journalists in YouTube Comments. The authors analyzed comments under videos on the most popular Ukrainian media YouTube channels. Of the 285,000 comments reviewed, 9% contained at least one form of gender-based online violence. The most common types included hate speech, threats of physical violence, and misogyny.
Liza Kuzmenko, head of Women in Media and a member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics, noted that the topic is both complex and sensitive, and may mistakenly be seen as less important in the context of a full-scale war. However, online violence poses a serious threat to women media workers, leading to real consequences in both their personal and professional lives.
“Online violence impacts the well-being of those affected, hinders their ability to work, and fosters self-censorship. Journalists may choose not to cover certain topics to avoid further online harassment,” Liza said.
She noted that this is a global trend and a shared challenge, which is why the study was translated into English.
Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko stressed that this research is directly related to national security.
“Human rights are a matter of national security. Online violence is often perpetrated not only by Ukrainian citizens, but more frequently by citizens of the aggressor state — the Russian Federation. In its destructive strategic communications and hybrid warfare, Russia actively exploits gender issues, including by targeting those who speak out on them,” Levchenko said.
She noted that sexist jokes often mask more dangerous attitudes, including the justification of violence. Therefore, it is essential to improve legislation that reflects current realities and ensures protection for those affected by online violence.
Numbers
Women in Media researcher Zoya Krasovska presented the study’s findings.
The survey included 180 respondents aged 18 to 63, primarily working in national and regional media.
Most often, the attacks lasted for a week. However, long-lasting online violence, for a month or over a year, was also quite common.
“Online violence becomes a form of negative audience reaction when the information provided by the media does not meet people’s expectations.”
“They steal our identities, break our pages and passwords, set our doors on fire, throw stones with threatening messages at our windows. But it won’t stop me, though my mom is very worried that I may end up like Gongadze,” women respondents shared.
Among the most common consequences of attacks, women media workers most frequently report a deterioration in their psychological wellbeing and mental health. The second most common consequence is reduced work capacity, and the third one is self-censorship regarding certain topics.
The risk of self-censorship due to gendered attacks can have particularly severe consequences in Ukraine, where the vast majority of journalists are women. In this context, gendered self-censorship creates a profoundly chilling effect, further exacerbated by the ongoing war, where the public relies heavily on accurate information and facts.
Among those who have experienced online violence, only 64% clearly recognize it.
14% of respondents who had experienced online violence reported that threats to them had moved from the digital space to the physical world. Women journalists approached law enforcement for help only in 19% of cases.
The most common forms of online violence against Ukrainian women media workers include misogynistic and sexist speech (words like “journawhore”), as well as defamation aimed at harming the journalist’s professional reputation (e.g., a false image of a “pro-Russian journalist”).
Respondents also experienced gender-based trolling (32%), disinformation (27%), cyberstalking (22%), doxing (18%), threats of sexual violence (16%), impersonation (14%), attacks on family members (14%), image distortion (12%), and sextortion / revenge porn (6%), which significantly affected their safety and mental wellbeing.
Media workers usually report instances of online violence to their colleagues, expecting solidarity and community support in such cases. The next most common measures of response are legal, psychological, and educational support.
Almost one in five women journalists targeted by online violence turned to the police or other law enforcement agencies. However, the respondents reported that there was no subsequent investigation or punishment of perpetrators.
Respondents identified a need for additional awareness-raising initiatives about online violence and ways to combat it.
Zoya Krasovska highlighted the educational aspect of the study, as it allowed respondents to explore the key terms and in-depth explanations.
“We provided disclaimers and detailed information, and we systematized various forms of online violence. The survey also had an educational component. It was important for us to explain, for instance, how misogynistic hate speech differs from defamation targeting journalists,” the analyst said.
Cases
Svitlana Ostapa, head of the Supervisory Board of the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Detector Media shared her experiences of online violence.
In spring 2024, Member of Parliament Mariana Bezuhla shared false information about Svitlana Ostapa’s salary and falsely accused her of arranging a mobilisation exemption for her son. Svitlana refuted the MP’s claims, but the public spread of such accusations affected her psychological well-being and reputation.
Nataliia Onysko, an investigative journalist at NGL.media, and her colleagues face misogynistic comments and defamation following the publication of high-profile investigations. For example, after publishing an investigation into the NGO Father Has the Right, which detailed cases of children being taken from their mothers, the journalists were subjected to personal insults and attempts to undermine their professional credibility.
“For cash, women in Ukraine are ready to do whatever, to suck or to write an article”; “women’s Tampax resources,” “Tampax-oriented media resource”; “As usual, journawhores write materials for females to get moolah”, they wrote to the journalists.
Diana Butsko, journalist, war correspondent for Hromadske, received death threats and misogynistic comments. Such attacks intensified after the report from Sudzha, following the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ takeover of the city.
The comments included phrases like “armored bra,” “beautiful, you’re pretty even with your panties off,” “young and already crazy.”
Diana Butsko was receiving death threats, such as “Soon, you will be buried there,” “Occupiers of the Russian lands will all be destroyed together with this reporteress, just a matter of time.”
The journalist noted that her expertise is often devalued. Commenters write that it would be better to invite a man instead of “this girl.”
Olena Mudra, a freelance journalist and author of investigations for the Zakarpattia Online media outlet, faced a situation where, following the publication of her work, attackers began spreading information about her family and attempted to discredit her for having worked with a psychologist. Olena reported the incidents to law enforcement, but there have been no results so far.
Anna Redko, a former journalist at the TV5 channel in Zaporizhzhia, was subjected to harassment that escalated from online abuse to real-life encounters. The stalker initially messaged and called Anna, trying to arrange a meeting and claiming there was a special connection between them. After Anna moved to Uzhhorod, he found her workplace and waited for her near the office, telling her colleagues that she would want to continue the relationship after seeing him. In 2024, Anna appealed to the Uzhhorod police and contacted a representative of the Ombudsman, but did not receive adequate protection. According to Anna, the representative of the Ombudsman in Zakarpattia oblast said in an informal conversation, “Where is violence here? He just fell in love, what’s your issue?”
What to do?
“If someone harasses a journalist, they are harassing the truth,” said Viktor Baiov, Head of the Department for Countering Illegal Content at the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
The law enforcement officer pledged to raise the issue with senior leadership and assist in addressing the offenders. In particular, he encouraged journalists to contact him directly for advice on gathering evidence, determining the elements of a crime, and other related matters.
Anton Abadjian, a prosecutor from the Department for Oversight of Compliance with Laws by the National Police of Ukraine and Agencies Combating Organized Crime, emphasized the importance of the study’s inclusion of specific recommendations for law enforcement. According to him, investigators and detectives need to enhance their skills in addressing online violence. The prosecutor stated that an interdepartmental working group is being established within the Prosecutor General’s Office to strengthen efforts to combat this category of criminal offenses. Meetings and training sessions are held on a regular basis.
“The development of democracy requires independent and responsible journalism. However, free journalism is only possible when journalists are protected from unlawful interference, including various forms of violence,” said Anton Abadjian.
Yaroslava Dio, Chief Specialist of Digital Skills Development Division, Office of Digital Skills Development and Digitalization of Education at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, spoke about the importance of enhancing digital literacy and fostering high-quality, trust-based relationships in Ukraine’s online transformation. To support this, various informational materials are being developed and online courses are being launched.
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech, emphasized the importance of improving criminal legislation and pledged to support the organization of committee hearings.
“We need to cooperate with the initiators of this study to initiate committee hearings on the issue within the Law Enforcement Committee and to develop amendments to the Criminal Code that would modernize and strengthen the response to cyber violence, particularly gender-based cyber violence,” Yurchyshyn said.
Oleksandr Burmahin, a member of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, stated that all forms of violence must be prohibited and should receive an effective response from state authorities or other authorized bodies.
“Any form of evil or violence must be punished. We have the right to report violent content to online platforms, but unfortunately, experience shows that such reports are often ignored. In my view as a lawyer, law enforcement agencies should take the lead in addressing the issue of violence,” Oleksandr said.
Maksym Dvorovyi, media lawyer and Head of the Digital Rights Department at the Digital Security Laboratory NGO noted that there is currently no legislation in Ukraine requiring the removal of content that contains signs of online violence against women.
“It is quite challenging to develop a consistent and effective system for addressing different types of harmful content, whether related to national security or gender-based violence. This is an issue that still needs thorough consideration. While discussions have begun, it remains an area that will require close monitoring and sustained, complex efforts,” Dvorovyi said.
Theresa Chorbacher emphasized that it is important not only to present statistics, but also to develop effective response mechanisms.
“The government, media, and civil society must develop effective responses to online violence against journalists, and the Women in Media study includes a comprehensive section on the legal framework. We must establish support mechanisms, including psychological assistance and digital security training for journalists. Our goal is to ensure that journalists are not silenced by fear, violence, or concerns for their lives and the safety of their loved ones,” she said.
Liza Kuzmenko, head of Women in Media, reminded that the organization’s website features a map of online attacks, which documents threats and harassment targeting journalists due to their professional activities. Media women can fill out a Google form to report cases of cyberattacks, with the option to remain anonymous if needed.
In addition, it is important to follow UNESCO’s recommendations on responding to online violence against female journalists.
“Women in Media can offer consultations with media lawyers and has provided financial support for psychological services and medical examinations.
The community also organizes regular self-support groups.
“Most cases of online violence appear after journalists publish materials on such socially significant topics as war, corruption, gender equality, feminism, and the rights of LGBT people. Most often, they resort to misogynistic and sexist rhetoric, or try to undermine journalists’ reputation by publishing data about their family or children. We emphasize that community support is important here. It is important to understand that women journalists are not left alone with this problem,” Liza Kuzmenko summed up.
You can download the full text of the study by following the link.