Paris (AFP)

A phenomenon that is rampant both on the internet, in the field and within editorial offices: RSF published a report on Monday that illustrates the extent of sexism in journalism, and its multiple consequences for women journalists and the freedom of the media. hurry.

This worrying inventory, published on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day, is based on a survey conducted by RSF in 112 countries.

The organization interviewed its correspondents and journalists specializing in gender issues, to identify the sexist acts faced by their colleagues, whatever their nature: discrimination, insults, sexual harassment, touching, verbal and physical assaults of a sexual nature. , threats of rape, even rape.

And the observation is overwhelming: "being a woman journalist often means accumulating a double risk. That, in addition to the dangers inherent in the profession, of being exposed to gender-based or sexual violence", summarizes RSF.

Violence that is practiced everywhere, starting with the internet and social networks, which are cited by 73% of respondents.

There are countless cases of female journalists victims of cyberstalking, such as Indian columnist and investigator Rana Ayyub, threatened with rape and death on a daily basis ...

But also on the ground (36%), as in Brazil where reporters have launched a campaign against football supporters who seek to kiss them without their consent.

And even in the workplace (58%), RSF recalling the multiple revelations that have shaken the editorial staff in several countries since the emergence of the #MeToo movement.

The NGO cites the example of Danish presenter Sofie Linde, who surprised the audience at a televised gala by recounting how a senior public television official offered to promote his career in exchange for a fellatio ... In the aftermath, 1,600 women working in Danish media signed a letter of support, in which they also said they had suffered from sexism.

The report also underlines the serious consequences of all this violence, both for the people who suffer it and for the right to information.

They can, for example, lead journalists to leave social networks (according to 43% of respondents), to self-censor (48%), change their specialty (21%) or even quit (21%).

Finally, RSF is issuing a series of recommendations to combat this phenomenon, such as awareness-raising actions, training, practical advice, or even the creation of editorial managers in charge of "gender issues".

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