UN report highlights rising online violence against female journalists

A new UN Women report says online abuse targeting women in the media is becoming more common and more sophisticated, with effects that extend into journalists’ work and personal lives. The report, released Thursday, is based on a 2025 survey of women journalists and media workers in 119 countries. It found that 22% of respondents had reported online violence to police, up from 2020, and 25% said they had been diagnosed or treated for anxiety or depression linked to the abuse. Nearly half said they selfcensor on social media, while 22% said they do so at work. The CBC report also focuses on Montreal journalist Rachel Gilmore, who said years of threats and harassment escalated after her work on extremist groups and public identification on a rightwing website. Canadian media groups and press freedom advocates say the problem is widespread, especially for women and journalists of colour, and that stronger workplace, legal, and policy protections are needed.