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:
Xari Jalil, Journalist/Co-Founder, Voicepk.net
Nasim Zehra, Channel 24
Mahwish Fakhar, Suno News
Benazir Shah, Geo News
Zoya Anwar, MultiMedia Journalist
Laiba Zainab, Hum News
Beenish Javed Freelance Journalist
Natasha Raheel, Freelance Journalist
Dr. Ambreen Sikander, Freelance Journalist/ Senior Lecturer
Lubna Jarrar Naqvi, Journalist
Javeria Siddiqui, Columnist Dunya News and Independent Urdu
Sheema Siddiqui, Geo TV
Fariha Aziz, Bolo Bhi
Aneela Mehmood, CNP
Nida Mujahid Hussain, Freelance Journalist
Areeba Bint-E-Saeed, Freelance
Fauzia Yazdani
Mehr Hussain, Zuka Books
Ramna saeed, Independent Urdu
Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi, Roving Correspondent, The Independent Urdu
Annam Lodhi, Freelance Journalist
Marian Sharaf, Independent Journalist
Arooj Anmol, Digital Journalist at Eyeopener Voice
Sarah B Haider, Freelance Journalist
FahmidahYousfi, Rava Documentary
Maryam Nawaz, Correspondent Geo News
Sehrish Qureshi, Digital Journalist, BBC Urdu,Vice President, National Press Club
Jamaima Afridi, Freelance Journalist
Maryam Saeed, PhD, Cardiff University
Fatima Nazish, DW
Fauzia Kalsoom Rana, Founder Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP)
Afia Salam, Journalist
Kanza Huma Majeed, News Editor/Reporter, Radio Pakistan
Marian Sharaf, Independent Journalist
Iqra Manzoor, Journalist
Javaria Hina, Independent Urdu
Munizae Jahangir, Voicepk.net
Shiba Gill, Xp Blue Zone
Asma Tariq, Freelance Journalist
Anum Ehsan, Freelance Journalist
Gharida Farooqi, Anchor
Absa Komal, Anchor
Laiba Hussan, Independent Urdu
Syeda Ayesha Naz, Dunya News
Sana Arshad, We News
Mehmal Sarfaraz, Journalist
Tehreem Azeem, NUST
Amel Ghani, Journalist
Mehak Javed, Samaa TV
Fatima Razzaq, Independent Journalist
Hafsa Javed, Writer/Policy Analyst
Mahnoor Qureshi, Anchor Person, Pakistan TV
Sidra Azhar Dar, Correspondent/ Producer, SOCH Reports
Afra Fatima, Freelance Journalist
Alishba asif, Freelance Journalist
Aneela Ashraf, Lubazad & Journalist Save Movement
Mahjabeen Abid, Lok Sujag
Nadia Malik Geo News
Aabida Ali, WDF /Researcher/Columnist
Bushra Iqbal Hussain, Mahfooz Bachpan
Shabinda Farzeen, GNN
Mehreen Burney, Freelance Journalist
Duaa Mirza, Geo News
Buraq Shabbir, Arab News, BBC Urdu
Tanzeela Mazhar, Anchor GTV
Uzma Iqbal, TNN Reporter
Saeeda, Freelance Journalist
Sophia Siddiqui, Sn Correspondent, INP
Tayyaba Nisar Khan, Freelance Journalist
Sabahat Khan, Freelance Journalist
Maryam Murad, TV Today
Manahil Arshad, Hum News
Asma Shirazi, Senior Anchor, Hum News
Naheed Jahangir, Journalist
Khalida Niaz, Shaal News
Asma Kundi, Hum News
Wajeeha aslam, Samaa TV
Umme Kulsoom Naqvi , ARY News
Nazia, Freelancer
Afshan Mansab, Native Media
Fozia Mehnaz, CGTV Urdu
Salma Jahangir, Journalist
Ayesha Saghir, Express News
Zainab Ali, ARY News
Ayesha Rehman, Geo News
Najia Ashar, President, Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation
Mehak Khan, ARY News
Hafsa Noor, iVerify Pakistan
Ailia Zehra, Associate Editor, Inside U.S. Trade
Dr. Rabia Noor, Director, Infer
Laksha Kumari, Sindh Climate and GNMI
Arooj Saher, Samaa tv
Zuha Siddiqui, freelance journalist
Syeda Mahnoor Tariq, SOCH
Mehwish Batool, The Inclusive Media
Huba Shahid, The Current
Sehar Mirza, Independent Journalist, Founder SAMAAJ
Imrana Sagar Komal, Bunjaarun Social Media Network Research and Training Centre
Rabia Mushtaq, Independent journalist
Maqsooma Taqi, Suno News
Parnia Khan, Freelance Journalist
Rani Wahidi, Documentary Maker, DW Deutsch Welle
Shaista Hakim, Freelance Journalist
Uroosa Jadoon, Arab News
Najia Mir, Anchor
Nadia Naqi, Dawn News
Faryal Ahmed Nadeem, Journalist
Umaima Ahmed, Global Voices
For more information, please visit:
For further queries, please contact:
Ayesha Babar
ayesha_babar@digitalrightsfoundation.pk
Umaima Ahmed