Online Attacks Against Women Journalists: A Guide for Newsrooms

This practical tool is designed for newsrooms that want to respond quickly and systematically to online attacks against women journalists and media workers. The guide helps assess the level of threat, support an affected colleague, strengthen cybersecurity, properly document an attack, and determine whether a legal or public response is necessary.

The tool is useful for editors, media managers, HR and security teams, as well as anyone responsible for the safety and well-being of newsroom staff. It also provides step-by-step guidance for responding to threats, manipulation, and disinformation, along with contacts for services that can provide assistance.

The guide is based on practices developed by UNESCO, the Coalition Against Online Violence, PEN America, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, and IWMF. Its key principle is that an attack against a woman journalist is also an attack against the entire newsroom. Journalists should therefore not be left to deal with threats alone, and coordinated action is essential during the first hours after an incident.