By Glory Ohagwu Abuja
In Commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has warned that emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are now being weaponised to target women journalists.
This year’s theme, “Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women Journalists, highlights the rising dangers of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) threatening freedom of expression and media safety worldwide.
These include deepfakes, online harassment, surveillance, and gendered disinformation, which disproportionately affect women journalists and public-facing professionals.
UNESCO expressed concern that “Digital transformation has created new opportunities for expression and activism, while also giving rise to heightened risks.
“Women are particularly impacted by these risks, especially those in public-facing roles such as journalists, politicians, and scientists.”
According to a UNESCO 2021 study, “73% of women journalists reported experiencing online threats related to their work, while “one in four” suffered offline attacks as a result.
The agency warns that these AI-driven threats are compounding the global problem of impunity for crimes against journalists, which it calls “one of the most important and complex challenges of recent times.”
UNESCO maintains that when such crimes go unpunished, “it has a chilling effect on society, impeding the free circulation of information and ideas.”
In Nigeria, government and civil society actors are reinforcing frameworks to ensure the safety and inclusion of women journalists in digital spaces.
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWA) has integrated gender-responsive ICT provisions into the National Gender Policy, promoting equality, empowerment, and online protection.
Similarly, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, confirmed the launch of the “National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) 2024–2027″ to “create safe online spaces and empower women in technology-driven industries.”
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and FMWA jointly unveiled the NGDIS at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), underscoring the government’s commitment to secure digital inclusion.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) are complementing national efforts to advance women’s inclusion and safety in the media.
NUJ has continued to sensitize newsrooms on gender-sensitive reporting and mechanisms to tackle sexual and digital harassment.
NAWOJ, through initiatives like “NewsAssist AI – Beyond the Byline,” is strengthening digital literacy and safety for female reporters, while partnering with SMEDAN to promote women journalists’ economic empowerment , reinforcing their role as catalysts for Nigeria’s inclusive development.
Similarly, at a workshop in Abuja, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) urged journalists to unite for stronger protections, stating:
“Female journalists should undertake joint advocacy for the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists in Nigeria and push for the adoption of any other national safety framework that may be necessary.”
As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate this day, these combined efforts under the “National Gender Policy” and “Digital Safety Initiatives” reinforce national commitment to strengthening protection, accountability, and safe digital engagement for women journalists.
Victoria Ibanga