Introduction

Would you agree that we are living in a time where online violence has become normalized? A recent study conducted by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) affirms this troubling reality.

The study surveyed 1,100 female journalists from 15 countries worldwide and revealed that nearly three in four women respondents reported experiencing online violence.

Sadly, only a quarter of these incidents were reported to employers, often resulting in inadequate responses or victim-blaming, such as advising them to "grow a thicker skin" or "toughen up."

Online violence takes various forms, including abusive language, threats, misinformation, and digital security attacks. These attacks can leave female journalists traumatized, causing them to experience psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.

The study further reveals that mental health impacts were the most frequently identified consequence at 26%, with 12% seeking medical or psychological help, and 11% taking days off work.

Countless female journalists have been casualties of online violence that forced them to disengage from digital platforms, silencing their critical voices.

Strategies for Dealing with OGBV

I had the privilege of listening to a panel discussion organized by Mental 360, titled "An Inside Look of The Psychological Effects of Online Harassment on Women in Journalism."

The insightful conversation featured two broadcast journalists, Cecilia Maundu and Ashley Lime. The discussion was moderated by Rebeccah Wanyoyi, a counseling psychologist. Through their expertise and experiences, these panelists provided the following valuable insights on how female journalists can effectively cope with online violence.

Ignoring and not engaging: Ignoring negative comments from trolls and deleting their messages helps in dealing with online violence. Responding to trolls or getting into arguments can often escalate the situation and lead to more harassment.

Documenting evidence: Documenting evidence of online harassment, such as screenshots or abusive messages can be useful when reporting incidents. It can also support any legal action that may be taken.

Practicing self-care: Taking long walks or other forms of exercise is good to detox from the harsh online environment. Taking breaks from digital platforms works greatly to protect your mental well-being.

Conceal personal information: Concealing specific details to online viewers, such as not posting real-time updates can make it harder for harassers to track the journalist's movements and activities. It is also important to limit the amount of personal information shared online.

Focus on positive feedback: Focusing on positive feedback and support from colleagues, friends, and family can help counteract the negative impact of online harassment and provide emotional support.

Adjust privacy settings: Adjusting privacy settings on social media platforms to restrict access to personal information and posts. By only allowing close friends to view content, it reduces the chances of harassment from strangers.

Talk to a therapist: Visiting a professional therapist is a great way to take care of oneself and manage the effects of online harassment. Seeing a therapist can provide a safe space to discuss personal experiences and receive professional help.

Leveraging FeedShield for OGBV Protection

The role of technology in addressing OGBV has been paramount. One notable tool is FeedShield, developed by Code for Africa (CFA).

FeedShield is a free, web-based online safety tool that utilizes machine learning technology to filter abusive comments on Twitter, FeedShield empowers users to take back control of their online experience.

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that CFA recognizes the holistic well-being of users. In addition to providing an effective tool for combating online violence, they also offer additional support.

FeedShield offers free, confidential psychological support to victims of online violence. Their counseling services provide emotional support and guidance to cope with the harsh effects of harassment.

Conclusion

The increasing online violence against female journalists cannot be ignored. It has a profound impact on their mental health and professional careers.

To tackle this problem, we must raise awareness on OGBV, provide psychological support to victims and establish laws that will hold online offenders accountable.

This requires collaboration from media organizations, technology platforms, policymakers, and society as a whole to create a safer digital environment.

Visit this link to learn more about FeedShield. Make an effort to share with those who are victims of trolling on Twitter.