Navigating misogynistic cyber harassment: Impacts and challenges faced by Pakistani female journalists

Abstract

This study explores the impacts and challenges of cyber harassment on Pakistani female journalists. Although female journalists persistently experience misogynist online harassment in their jobs, this topic has yet to receive due attention in the journalism landscape. This study is closely aligned with the social feminism theory, which supports equal rights for working female journalists. The study sample comprised seven Pakistani female journalists, selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, in-depth interviews were utilised for data collection to gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences and perspectives. As revealed by the analysis, criticism of their work often takes the form of misogynistic attacks. These attacks include accusations of attention-seeking, discreditation of their skills, infantilisation, unsolicited images, misogynist slurs and even coercive fantasies of sexual violence and rape. As verified by the participants, the effects of this form of harassment are profoundly felt in their personal lives. It leads to mental exhaustion, self-doubt, coerced coping as well as the adoption of additional safety precautions in one’s personal life. The harassment also impacts the professional lives of female journalists as it forces them to withdraw from social media and coverage of specific topics, endure interruptions at work, take additional safety precautions at work and some, to the extent of considering to quit their jobs. As a result, all participants were unanimous in their demands for fundamental changes within the newsroom and society. The study demonstrates how Pakistani media organisations fall short of achieving UN’s SDG 5, which is gender equality, which this research closely aligns with.