OSCE Report on Legal Responses to Online Harassment and Abuse of (Female) Journalists

The Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) published a report which looks into legal remedies for attacks against journalists happening online. It specifically looks into three case studies, in Finland, France, and Ireland, of female journalists who have suffered online attacks for the work they do. Journalist face increased attacks and abuse through social media, online fora and other through other ICT means, which ‘often includes violent threats of death and rape’. Female journalists ‘bare additional burden’ since they are being attacked solely on the basis of their gender. The report offers best practices and recommendations for OSCE member States in implementing and interpreting laws in order to respond more effectively to increased and diversified forms of online harassment of journalists.