The Coalition For Women In Journalism

#Turkey: Evrensel Newspaper columnist Ayen ahin was taken to custody at 10:00 PM at night from her home. Her social media posts were cited as a reason for her detention. The journalist was charged with "inciting the public to hatred and hostility. Ayen was released shortly after her statement. She was targeted with vicious online threats over her post claiming that she targeted a shopkeeper and would be responsible to lose his job. CFWIJ’s Ceren skit spoke to Ayen about... what exactly happened during the #BoaziçiProtests while she was covering on the ground and what was the accusation against her. People might think if this happened to him or her it could happen to me too. This is not just an intimidation policy against us, not only targeting one person. This is a policy for everyone in this circle. Authoritarian regimes are directly targeting professional groups that focus on the truth. They are aiming this by discrediting the profession. she said. Read the full conversation: http://womeninjournalism.org/intervie... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG1V8tyxdY8

The suffocating atmosphere for press freedom in Nigeria and continues to deteriorate as we observe a visible increase in assaults, attacks, arrests and prosecutions of journalists. Given the complete impunity for crimes against journalists, independent media are in real danger. Being a woman adds another layer of vulnerability Women journalists in Nigeria are regularly confronted with sexism and discrimination and often are not taken seriously as reporters. CFWIJ's Katarzyna Mierzejewska will speak to journalist Irene Ubani about the escalating crackdown on press freedom in Nigeria and gender-based violence in the country. Tune in to our Instagram Live this Wednesday, February 10, at 2:00 PM CET.

2021, from its very beginning, proves that we have another challenging year ahead of us. In January alone, CFWIJ documented 60 attacks on #WomenJournalists, including detentions, arrests and two murders. Our monthly report is out now. Take a look: https://cutt.ly/CkiYCvg

On Friday, January 22, we had a great pleasure to speak to fantastic filmmakers, authors of #ThreeDeathsOfMariselaEscobedo. Our founder Kiran Nazish discussed with Sara Rafsky and Carlos Pérez Osorio the process of making a documentary which touches upon such a trauma. They dived into an ethical side of producing such a riveting movie, finding a balance empathy with journalistic professionalism, struggles and dangerous situations that emerged on the way. The full conversation... is available on our YT channel. We strongly encourage you to take a look and get inspired. A real tragedy told in this documentary is a clear manifestation of an urgent problem with violence against women in Mexico. Thanks to extraordinary work of Sara, Carlos and their whole team, harrowing yet very powerful story of Marisela’s quest for justice is now properly commemorated. Memory about Marisela alongside with her legacy will remain with us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhRGldLges&feature=youtu.be

PETITION: Guatemalan Indigenous journalist Anastasia Mejía was arrested for allegedly participating in a demonstration. The director of radio station Xol Abaj Radio faces charges of sedition and aggravated attack. Anastasia was held at a detention center for five weeks after her arrest, exposing her to the additional risk of contracting Covid-19. Eventually, a judge released Mejía after she paid a $2,500 bond, but she remains under house arrest. Despite her conditional relea...se, the court ruled that the criminal proceedings against her would continue. Given such a striking example of intimidation, CFWIJ and CPJ launched a petition calling upon Guatemalan authorities to drop the charges against Anastasia Mejía. In our quest, we are joined by numerous organizations advocating for press freedom. The arrest, excessive detention and criminal prosecution of Anastasia Mejía is a clear attack on freedom of expression and the public's right to information in Guatemala. Community media outlets like Xol Abaj play a critical role in ensuring Guatemala’s Indigenous communities can access important information. We encourage you to share our petition to help us amplify the case of legal harassment that Anastasia Mejía is facing. Guatemala’s rural and Indigenous journalists face greater risk of discrimination and threats from criminal groups and local officials. As a marginalized group, spreading awareness is vital to support them. If you would like to join our call, please contact us at [email protected]. Read more: https://bit.ly/3q24yWS