A Survey Report published by Policy Think Tank, IWatch Ghana, has revealed that close to forty percent of female journalists receive threats and abuse cases in Ghana.
According to the Report, 43 journalists and rights activists received at least one form of abuse online from January to March 2020 while close to forty percent of these abuses were also directed at female journalists in Ghana.
The three months survey dubbed: “Digital Right Initiative” which tracked abuse and harassment on activists and journalists, unearthed that Bridget Otoo, Manasseh Awuni Azure, Nana Ama Agyemang Asante and Anas Amereyaw Anas are most abused and harassed journalists in Ghana within the period of January to March 2020″.
The survey further disclosed that journalists who report on contested social and political issues are targeted by those who do not share in the views.
These culprits often resort to various social media platforms, online comment fora and other online means to unleash a tirade of abuse on their targeted personalities, IWatch has said.
The identified journalists and rights activists who were targeted in these instances of abuse according to IWatch Ghana are also affiliated with over 60 entities in Ghana.
The survey outcome indicated that journalists and rights activists in Ghana are increasingly receiving threats of death and rape.
Out of over 600 separate instances of abuse and harassment analyzed, Bridget Otoo, formerly of Media General, now a freelancer, was the most abused journalist during the period with 34 percent of abuses targeting her.
Investigative journalist, Manasseh Awuni Azure was also the second most abused journalist, with 17 percent of abuse targeting him within the period.
Other notable journalists who were victims of abuse included Anas Amereyaw Anas, Nana Ama Agyemang Asante, Serwaa Amihere, Ameyaw Debrah and Roland Affail Monney.
Meanwhile, a frequent social commentator, who speaks openly on issues bothering on corruption and human rights abuses, Nana Ama Agyemang, speaking on the online harassment targeted at female journalists stated that it was cruel and confusing.
“I find it cruel and confusing. Cruel because there is no need for the amount of vitriol I receive for saying some of the same things my male colleagues say and get cheered for. Granted, not all my male colleagues get cheered for saying things, but no one is on social media threatening them with rape and other forms of violence talking about corruption. No one calls them ugly for questioning the status quo,” she stated.
Although she believes she is “targeted” because she is a “visible woman and people hate to see women participate in the public square,” she is resolute and intends to “keep talking and engaging.”
Sending intimidating, threatening or offensive messages constituted majority of tracked abuses with over 80 percent instances identified followed by cyberstalking which remained low at 12 percent.
On his part, Cyber and Policy Expert of iWatch Ghana Henry Kyeremeh stated that his outfit is working with relevant authorities to address some of the issues identified in the survey.
“iWatch Africa is determined to work closely with CHRAJ and other policymakers in Ghana to develop protocols to look at, among other things, internal psychological and legal support for journalists, media workers and rights activists; proper reporting of online harassment; community management and content forum moderation”, the report quoted
He also added that, “all identified instances of abuses which rises to the level of criminality would be submitted to the appropriate authorities in particular; the police and CHRAJ for further investigation and redress.”
iWatch’s digital rights initiative is supported by the collaboration of International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), through the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF).
