Women in Journalism: Unique Perspective, Unique Threats

Announcement

In observation of International Women’s Day and National Women’s History Month, please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a briefing on the challenges and risks faced by women journalists around the world.

Last year saw an alarming number of women journalists imprisoned and killed. In 2017, the Committee to Protect Journalists found that at least 72 journalists and media workers were killed in the line of duty, of whom ten were women – a record high. Similarly, CPJ found a record high of 262 journalists imprisoned in 2017, including 22 women.

Along with killings and imprisonments, press freedom groups have documented a myriad of other challenges, including sexual violence and online harassment. These abuses can function as a form of censorship and can ultimately serve to deter women from working in media.  

This briefing will bring together women journalists from around the world to share their experiences and spotlight the challenges they and their colleagues face, both in the newsroom and in the field. The panelists will also recommend ways news organizations and governments can help stop the violence, and prevent discrimination against women in journalism.

This briefing will be open to members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. For any questions, please contact Rosie Berman (for Mr. McGovern) at 202-225-3599 or Rosie.Berman@mail.house.gov, or Jamie Staley (for Mr. Hultgren) at 202-226-1516 or Jamie.Staley@mail.house.gov.

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