Exhibitions

Violence is a form of censorship. Worldwide, journalists face harassment, imprisonment, violence, or even death – simply for doing their jobs. Studies have shown that women journalists are targeted online significantly more than their male colleagues. Who are these women? What are their stories? What inspires them to keep going? 

While many journalists experience (online) violence, women journalists are disproportionately targeted by it. On top of that, the violence they experience is gender-based, meaning it’s sexist and misogynistic. This can vary from receiving hateful messages and rape threats, to actual physical attacks. Next to physical harm, this type of (online) violence against women journalists causes severe psychological harm like stress and feelings of isolation, and can also lead to  self-censorship. This means that there is less diversity in the news and that essential information cannot reach the wider public which directly impacts press freedom

Together with Free Press Unlimited and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we organised this photo exhibition that showcases 12 powerful portraits of women journalists around the world, highlighting the reality of violence and harassment faced in their line of work. We hope it initiates conversations with governments and other stakeholders in the media industry to enhance the protection of women journalists.

The women journalists involved were brave to share their stories, you can read them here.