Latest news with #onlineharassment
Zawya
5 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
‘They target our reputation': Online attacks force Libyan journalists to self-censor
Journalists in Libya face frequent online harassment, which impedes their ability to fulfil their function as watchdogs against corruption, human rights abuses and other issues, journalists said last week during a round table discussion with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. Thirty-one journalists from Libya's east, west and south joined the online discussion Thursday as part of the Basirah professional development programme, organised in coordination with UNSMIL's Human Rights Section. It will inform an upcoming workshop on 19 June, led by a digital safety expert from the international non-governmental organisation Committee to Protect Journalists, about ways journalists can shield themselves from online harassment. 'Discussing the online harassment of journalists is essential because it threatens the right to expression and leads some to retreat or self-censor,' said Eman Ben Amer, a journalist who attended the event. 'Ignoring it means silencing free voices.' The journalists, during the meeting, shared their personal experiences with harassment, shedding light on the form, frequency, and causes. Ninety-two per cent of participants, in a post-workshop survey, said they had personally experienced online harassment. The most reported form of harassment was abusive comments or messages on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Journalists also described how harassers had taken photos or videos of them, manipulated them using deceitful editing or artificial intelligence, and then shared them widely. The harassment often escalated to death threats and, sometimes, actual physical attacks, they said. In some cases, mobilisation appeared to be coordinated, with some journalists noting that they 'trended' on social media because of harassment. 'They distorted my reputation to the point I found myself under investigation by state intelligence,' said one journalist, who was dismissed from their job after such an online attack. 'The recording is still on YouTube and now, even years later, people will post it in the comments when I publish anything.' The attacks were provoked by everything from the topic of a story to the sex, age or cultural background of the reporter. Sometimes the stories that sparked abuse were sensitive from a political or human rights perspective. One journalist related how they were attacked for promoting 'foreign agendas' when they covered a story about violence against women. But at other times, the stories were seemingly non-controversial. For example, one journalist recounted how they were attacked for broadcasting a sports match on accusations of 'supporting the opposing team.' Another was harassed for reporting on flood victims in Derna. Female journalists reported particular trouble, saying they were harassed for nearly everything they published—regardless of topic. "Being a female journalist in Libyan society is very difficult,' one journalist said. 'They target a woman's reputation and honour – make things personal.' Eighty-six per cent of journalists, in the post-workshop survey, said harassment had impacted their work in some way. Thirty per cent reported reducing their social media presence to avoid backlash – a major handicap in the media sector. Thirty per cent said they 'censored or softened' their language to avoid offending certain parties. Others said they avoided writing about controversial topics altogether. 'Journalists need a safe space to work freely and honestly,' said journalist Mohammed Fozy. 'Without that, free media can't exist.' Journalists and other media professionals are invited to register for the Basirah programme, including the upcoming Basirah workshop on how journalists can protect themselves from online harassment, here: (link) Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Putting ‘x' in toxic: Fahmi slams social media giants X, Meta for not doing enough to curb cyberbullying, scams
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today took social media platforms Meta and X to task, for what he described as their indifference towards combating scams and cyberbullying in Malaysia. Reflecting on the tragic death of social media influencer Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, following online harassment last year, Fahmi said many platforms had yet to implement robust measures to curb cyberbullying, even as the government had bolstered existing legislation. 'The laws are mostly in place,' Fahmi said, after launching the Suicide Content Guidelines at Menara Star here today. He was referring to the passage of two Penal Code amendments addressing cyberbullying in Parliament last year. Fahmi added that the Online Safety Act is set to come into effect soon, and it will be accompanied by the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council in the middle of this month, providing a platform to discuss related concerns. 'But, are social media platforms working hard enough to make sure that online harms are addressed more comprehensively? I do not think so,' he said. 'X really puts the 'X' in toxic. It is an extremely toxic environment.' The Suicide Content Guidelines, spearheaded by the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF), represent Malaysia's first comprehensive framework for ethical reporting on suicide cases. The guidelines stress the importance of using appropriate language, censoring graphic images, and avoiding sensational headlines when reporting on suicide incidents. They also introduce the concept of the Papageno effect, which highlights how responsible media reporting on suicidal crises can help prevent further suicides. Fahmi said the CMCF would represent Malaysia in presenting the guidelines — considered among the first of their kind globally — at the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) World Congress 2025 in Vienna, Austria this month. He said ethical reporting on suicides was an act of compassion for the bereaved families and crucial to preventing copycat incidents. Fahmi also urged vernacular media outlets to produce more content on suicidal crisis management, noting that such resources are currently available largely in English.
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Putting ‘x' in toxic: Fahmi salms social media giants X, Meta for not doing enough to curb cyberbullying, scams
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today took social media platforms Meta and X to task, for what he described as their indifference towards combating scams and cyberbullying in Malaysia. Reflecting on the tragic death of social media influencer Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, following online harassment last year, Fahmi said many platforms had yet to implement robust measures to curb cyberbullying, even as the government had bolstered existing legislation. 'The laws are mostly in place,' Fahmi said, after launching the Suicide Content Guidelines at Menara Star here today. He was referring to the passage of two Penal Code amendments addressing cyberbullying in Parliament last year. Fahmi added that the Online Safety Act is set to come into effect soon, and it will be accompanied by the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council in the middle of this month, providing a platform to discuss related concerns. 'But, are social media platforms working hard enough to make sure that online harms are addressed more comprehensively? I do not think so,' he said. 'X really puts the 'X' in toxic. It is an extremely toxic environment.' The Suicide Content Guidelines, spearheaded by the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF), represent Malaysia's first comprehensive framework for ethical reporting on suicide cases. The guidelines stress the importance of using appropriate language, censoring graphic images, and avoiding sensational headlines when reporting on suicide incidents. They also introduce the concept of the Papageno effect, which highlights how responsible media reporting on suicidal crises can help prevent further suicides. Fahmi said the CMCF would represent Malaysia in presenting the guidelines — considered among the first of their kind globally — at the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) World Congress 2025 in Vienna, Austria this month. He said ethical reporting on suicides was an act of compassion for the bereaved families and crucial to preventing copycat incidents. Fahmi also urged vernacular media outlets to produce more content on suicidal crisis management, noting that such resources are currently available largely in English.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
How sick porn gangs draw up ‘hit lists' of women to steal nude snaps & target victims using creepy stalker-style tactics
IN shadowy bedrooms across the UK, perverted criminals are drawing up 'hit lists' of unsuspecting women in their local area, so their nude pictures can be stolen to order by twisted online pals. A Sun investigation has found how these ghouls are not only using sinister tactics to steal the intimate photos of targets as young as 16, but are tracking every detail of their day-to-day lives in a disturbing new crime trend that will terrify every parent. 6 Whistleblowers reveal that young men are trading the X-rated snaps "like Pokémon cards' on secret chat rooms, with thousands of potential victims targeted. One group we uncovered is feared to contain details of almost 700 women in Kent and is now being investigated by police, while high-profile sports stars are also believed to be targeted in similarly shocking chat rooms reported across the UK. The Kent chat room alone is believed to have been used by 132 men and boys to request and swap intimate images of women in the area. It was discovered on the popular messaging site Discord – which is used by 34.8 million Brits monthly and markets to young boys and gamers. Users were reportedly posting 'wins' lists and 'want' lists – boasting which women they had images of and requesting others whose photos they wanted to get their hands on. Other men are said to have been offering to fulfill trades by offering to ' catfish ' girls online to get hold of the images. Whistleblowers claim three arrests have been made so far, and that the server has been taken down by Kent Police. When asked to comment on the chat room, Kent Police said: 'On 21 November 2024, Kent Police received a report that an intimate image of a woman had been shared online without her consent. 'Officers are currently investigating, and a 34-year-old man from Sittingbourne was arrested on suspicion of harassment. He has since been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.' The force refused to make any further comment on the server's wider impact. Georgia Harrison opens up about overcoming her revenge porn ordeal and difficult journey Richard Garside, director of The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said he 'would not be surprised' if similar photo-exchanging sites existed on this scale across a wider part of the UK. An identical investigation took place in 2023 after reports that a Discord server was being used to anonymously trade images of women in Pembrokeshire. The server allegedly contained over 1,200 images of 217 women and girls in the area, with the youngest being just 16 years old. The Sun reached out to Dyfed-Powys Police, who said: 'Three men were arrested on suspicion of disclosing private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress and were released on bail. 'Further enquiries led to a caution being given to one of the men and no further action being taken against the other two. 'Although the investigation is now closed, it can be re-opened if any new evidence comes to light.' Stalker forums Another website has reportedly come under police investigation after it emerged men were using it to share the private information of hundreds of women. Speaking to The Sun, one whistleblower alleged that images of a popular female sports team appeared on the site. He said: 'There was a UK-wide server and it was basically the same as this Kent case. And I wish I was joking – they put up these girls' work times, the way they go home and where they go out." The site has since been taken down. Another website The Sun uncovered allows men to share and request photos of women within location-based servers. Online abuse of this kind, better known as revenge porn, is classified as a criminal offence thanks to the Criminal Justice and Courts Act of 2015. Speaking to The Sun this month, former model Jess Davies revealed her horror at finding naked photos - which had been taken of her when she was asleep - in a group chat on her boyfriend's phone. The women's rights campaigner, 32, warned: "People's sons, brothers and friends are trading these photos like Pokémon cards and the women in the images have no idea that someone they trust is doing this." Revenge porn is defined as 'the sharing of private, sexual materials, either photos or videos, of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress." The Government also states that those guilty of the crime could face up to two years behind bars – but evidence points towards a failure from cops to crack down on perpetrators. Speaking to The Sun, head of crime and justice at Policy Exchange and former Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer said: 'Cases where predators operate online are a real challenge for the police who are woefully behind the times when it comes to technology. 'A sea change in the approach of the police and the criminal justice system can't come soon enough.' National crisis 6 6 Netflix 's blockbuster Adolescence recently received critical acclaim for shining a light on the dangers of private messaging sites that are influencing young men like Discord, Telegram and the online game Roblox. The sites, which generally market to kids, have been found to be hubs for misogyny, sadism and sexual abuse – with people sharing shocking content such as guides on 'how to rape a girl'. The four-part limited series follows the family of 13-year-old boy Jamie Miller, who brutally murders a young girl after consuming the harmful content. Stephen Graham, who wrote the show and stars as Jamie's father, said the idea was inspired by the online 'manosphere'. 'I read an article about a young boy stabbing a young girl,' the actor explained. 'And then maybe a couple of months later, on the news there was [another] young boy who'd stabbed a young girl, and if I'm really honest with you, they hurt my heart.' He added: 'It's just being mindful of the fact that not only we parent our children, and not only the school educates our children. 'But also there's influences that we have no idea of that are having profound effects on our young culture, profound effects, positive and extremely negative. So it's having a look at that and seeing that we're all accountable.' What is revenge porn? By Kevin Adjei-Darko Sickos who post explicit snaps or videos of exes online without consent are being hunted down and locked up as Britain cracks down on revenge porn. The vile trend, which involves sharing private sexual images to humiliate or control someone, became a crime in 2015. But a fresh law under the Online Safety Act 2023 has made it even tougher — now, prosecutors no longer need to prove the intent was to cause distress. If you share an intimate image without permission, you're breaking the law. Creeps also face jail for creating or spreading deepfake porn - twisted AI-generated nudes - using someone's face without their knowledge. Offenders can get up to two years in prison, slapped with fines, and even end up on the sex offenders register. Love Island's Georgia Harrison made headlines after ex-boyfriend Stephen Bear was jailed for secretly filming them having sex and sharing it on OnlyFans. Her fight has helped drive legal change and support for victims. Help is out there. The Revenge Porn Helpline (0345 6000 459) offers confidential advice and can help get sick content taken down fast. The show has also captured the attention of multiple MPs and officials – with Daventry MP Stuart Andrew saying 'Adolescence has got everyone talking', and that it 'demonstrates the reach of such productions'. It even sparked discussion in PMQs after Sir Keir Starmer revealed to The Commons that he had been watching Adolescence with his own teenage children. Later, he told BBC 5Live that the UK 'may have a problem with boys and young men that we need to address.' The PM also revealed he planned to have a chat with former England football manager Gareth Southgate, who recently gave a BBC lecture saying 'toxic influencers trick young men.' 6 6 Influencer Andrew Tate has been blamed for the rise of toxic masculinity and sexual violence, and was even referenced in the Netflix drama. An Ofcom spokesperson told The Sun: 'The prosecution of individuals who post illegal content online is a matter for law enforcement agencies. 'This month, new duties came into force under the Online Safety Act that mean tech companies must now take steps to protect their UK users from illegal content, including intimate image abuse. 'Ofcom's job is to make sure platforms do that, and we're currently assessing industry compliance with these new laws.'
Washington Post
24-05-2025
- Washington Post
Maryland man coerced more than 100 children to send him sexual videos
Sitting behind his computer in a suburban Maryland home, Chase Mulligan spent at least four years coercing and threatening children across the country. To a 12-year-old in Tennessee, he demanded she keep making and sending him sexually explicit videos or he'd publicize those she'd already provided. 'I will post the vid of you and your sister,' the 28-year-old wrote.
