Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights stands in solidarity with Asma Shirazi, Amber Rahim Shamsi, and women journalists subjected to online abuse and gendered attacks

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PRESS RELEASE

 

26 October 2026, Pakistan: The Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights condemn the participation of fellow journalists, both men and women, in ridiculing, insulting, and undermining women colleagues. These attacks often leave the journalist unnamed while using unmistakable references to identify her to their audiences. Omitting a name does not remove responsibility when the target is clear.

 

Of particular concern is the practice of quote-tweeting trolls and abusive accounts, including those colleagues have blocked because of their history of harassment. Adding sarcasm or insinuation while reproducing an abusive post gives that abuse a wider audience and renewed visibility. It also circumvents the boundaries women have established to protect themselves. Such posts can function as dog whistles, signalling whom to target while allowing those amplifying them to deny responsibility.

 

The original words may belong to someone else, but the decision to circulate misogynistic abuse, religious insinuations, or hate speech carries its own responsibility. Journalists must recognise how their participation can fuel online harassment and targeted trolling of women colleagues.

 

Dismissing women’s experiences as playing the “woman card,” policing their clothing, and making sweeping insinuations about their professional integrity reinforce the prejudices used to silence women. This conduct is no less harmful when it comes from another woman.

 

We are not naming individual journalists responsible in this statement. In our next statement, we will name names and present evidence of their conduct. If we condemn abusers, we must also hold our fellow journalists and our professional community accountable when their actions enable, amplify, or encourage harassment. Our responsibility cannot end with calling out anonymous trolls.

 

Journalists’ work, opinions, remuneration, and professional decisions are legitimate subjects of scrutiny. That scrutiny must be specific, grounded in evidence, and conducted without personal humiliation or gendered attacks.

 

We call on journalists, editors, media organisations, and professional bodies to challenge this behaviour consistently. Colleagues must stop amplifying abusive accounts, take responsibility for the material they circulate, and speak out against harassment even when it comes from friends or political allies.

 

Signatures of Journalists:

 

1. Xari Jalil, Journalist/Co-Founder, Voicepk.net
2. Nasim Zehra, Channel 24 
3. Mahwish Fakhar, Suno News
4. Benazir Shah, Geo News
5. Zoya Anwar, MultiMedia Journalist
6. Laiba Zainab, Hum News
7. Beenish Javed Freelance Journalist
8. Natasha Raheel, Freelance Journalist
9. Dr. Ambreen Sikander, Freelance Journalist/ Senior Lecturer
10. Lubna Jarrar Naqvi, Journalist
11. Javeria Siddiqui, Columnist Dunya News and Independent Urdu
12. Sheema Siddiqui, Geo TV
13. Fariha Aziz, Bolo Bhi
14. Aneela Mehmood, CNP
15. Nida Mujahid Hussain, Freelance Journalist
16. Areeba Bint-E-Saeed, Freelance
17. Fauzia Yazdani
18. Mehr Hussain, Zuka Books
19. Ramna saeed, Independent Urdu
20. Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi, Roving Correspondent, The Independent Urdu
21. Annam Lodhi, Freelance Journalist
22. Marian Sharaf, Independent Journalist
23. Arooj Anmol, Digital Journalist at Eyeopener Voice
24. Sarah B Haider, Freelance Journalist
25. FahmidahYousfi, Rava Documentary 
26. Maryam Nawaz, Correspondent Geo News
27. Sehrish Qureshi, Digital Journalist, BBC Urdu,Vice President, National Press Club
28. Jamaima Afridi, Freelance Journalist
29. Maryam Saeed, PhD, Cardiff University
30. Fatima Nazish, DW
31. Fauzia Kalsoom Rana, Founder Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP)
32. Afia Salam, Journalist
33. Kanza Huma Majeed, News Editor/Reporter, Radio Pakistan
34. Marian Sharaf, Independent Journalist
35. Iqra Manzoor, Journalist
36. Javaria Hina, Independent Urdu
37. Munizae Jahangir, Voicepk.net
38. Shiba Gill, Xp Blue Zone
39. Asma Tariq, Freelance Journalist
40. Anum Ehsan, Freelance Journalist
41. Gharida Farooqi, Anchor 
42. Absa Komal, Anchor
43. Laiba Hussan, Independent Urdu
44. Syeda Ayesha Naz, Dunya News
45. Sana Arshad, We News
46. Mehmal Sarfaraz, Journalist
47. Tehreem Azeem, NUST
48. Amel Ghani, Journalist
49. Mehak Javed, Samaa TV
50. Fatima Razzaq, Independent Journalist
51. Hafsa Javed, Writer/Policy Analyst
52. Mahnoor Qureshi, Anchor Person, Pakistan TV
53. Sidra Azhar Dar, Correspondent/ Producer, SOCH Reports
54. Afra Fatima, Freelance Journalist
55. Alishba asif, Freelance Journalist
56. Aneela Ashraf, Lubazad & Journalist Save Movement
57. Mahjabeen Abid, Lok Sujag
58. Nadia Malik Geo News
59. Aabida Ali, WDF /Researcher/Columnist
60. Bushra Iqbal Hussain, Mahfooz Bachpan
61. Shabinda Farzeen, GNN
62. Mehreen Burney, Freelance Journalist
63. Duaa Mirza, Geo News
64. Buraq Shabbir, Arab News, BBC Urdu
65. Tanzeela Mazhar, Anchor GTV
66. Uzma Iqbal, TNN Reporter
67. Saeeda, Freelance Journalist
68. Sophia Siddiqui, Sn Correspondent, INP
69. Tayyaba Nisar Khan, Freelance Journalist
70. Sabahat Khan, Freelance Journalist
71. Maryam Murad, TV Today
72. Manahil Arshad, Hum News
73. Asma Shirazi, Senior Anchor, Hum News
74. Naheed Jahangir, Journalist
75. Khalida Niaz, Shaal News
76. Asma Kundi, Hum News
77. Wajeeha aslam, Samaa TV
78. Umme Kulsoom Naqvi , ARY News
79. Nazia, Freelancer
80. Afshan Mansab, Native Media
81. Fozia Mehnaz, CGTV Urdu
82. Salma Jahangir, Journalist
83. Ayesha Saghir, Express News
84. Zainab Ali, ARY News
85. Ayesha Rehman, Geo News
86. Najia Ashar, President, Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation
87. Mehak Khan, ARY News
88. Hafsa Noor, iVerify Pakistan
89. Ailia Zehra, Associate Editor, Inside U.S. Trade
90. Dr. Rabia Noor, Director, Infer
91. Laksha Kumari,  Sindh Climate and GNMI
92. Arooj Saher, Samaa tv
93. Zuha Siddiqui, freelance journalist
94. Syeda Mahnoor Tariq, SOCH
95. Mehwish Batool, The Inclusive Media
96. Huba Shahid, The Current
97. Sehar Mirza, Independent Journalist, Founder SAMAAJ
98. Imrana Sagar Komal, Bunjaarun Social Media Network Research and Training Centre
99. Rabia Mushtaq, Independent journalist
100. Maqsooma Taqi, Suno News
101. Parnia Khan, Freelance Journalist
102. Rani Wahidi, Documentary Maker, DW Deutsch Welle
103. Shaista Hakim, Freelance Journalist
104. Uroosa Jadoon, Arab News
105. Najia Mir, Anchor
106. Nadia Naqi, Dawn News
107. Faryal Ahmed Nadeem, Journalist 
108. Umaima Ahmed, Global Voices

 

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For further queries, please contact:

Ayesha Babar

ayesha_babar@digitalrightsfoundation.pk

Umaima Ahmed 

umaima@digitalrightsfoundation.pk