Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) condemns the ‘doxing’ of Radio 702 and ENCA Talk Show Host and journalist Karima Brown as well as the threats and abuse that followed. Doxing is the act of revealing identifying information about someone online — their real name, address, workplace, phone number, or other identifying information and the subsequent harassment and attacks as a result of the information being revealed.
MMA welcomes and endorses the statement published by the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) and we stand ready to support them in possible action against those responsible, and we reiterate our commitment to supporting journalists in this crucial election period.
The threats and vile comments that have been levelled against Ms Brown are repugnant and must be condemned in the strongest terms for two core reasons, firstly because they are abusive, threaten violence and some also constitute hate speech. These actions have real consequences and we call on all relevant authorities to act urgently to hold those responsible accountable. Secondly, such actions when targeted at journalists also constitute an intention to silence and censor and thus also undermine our democracy.
It is important to stress that there is a fundamental difference between disagreeing, even stridently with another person, and abusing, threatening or directing hate speech at them. We have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world and it is one we should all be proud of. Our Bill of Rights enshrines not just the right to freedom of expression but it also highlights and foregrounds the rights to dignity and equality. It is tragic that it is necessary to state that threats of rape, incitement to violence and racist rhetoric undermine the foundational values and rights contained within our constitution. Aside from the rights violations there is also the matter of personal hurt and offence. On top of that there is the real possibility that such threats may escalate to physical violence against not just Ms Brown and her loved ones but also to all journalists who may be seen to be standing up for Ms Browns rights. That these attacks also have a clear gender dynamic and, in a country with a near epidemic of gender based violence this makes them even more offensive and threatening.
As a media watchdog, we take on a role promoting ethical and fair journalism which supports human rights. We promote democracy and a culture where the media and the powerful respect those rights to encourage a just and fair society. We take this role very seriously and will stand against those who attempt to threaten this. It is an unacceptable reality for women all over the world that they are more likely to be the target of abuse online. From doxing to revenge ‘porn’, from rape and death threats to hacking or trolling, women on the internet are being attacked and threatened at unprecedented rates. Even when they have hard evidence, such as in the case of Babes Wodumo, they are questioned and blamed.
With the expanding power of social media and as we approach elections in an increasingly volatile political environment, we call on all political parties to not only condemn such actions, but also to proactively commit to actions and speech that seek to discourage violence and de-escalate tensions.
MMA therefore calls on the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate any possible instances and allegations of hate speech and/or incitement of violence, and to work with all other authorities in ensuring that justice is achieved.
We also call on the Independent Electoral Commission to urgently investigate the threats and exercise the powers granted to them in the election period to hold those responsible accountable. As we approach elections it is critical that tensions are de-escalated and it is essential that all stakeholders play their part in ensuring that violence is prevented, that journalist can do their jobs without fear or favour and that political parties act in line with the tenets of our constitution. It is after all our Constitution that gives them their power and any action that undermines the constitution ultimately undermines them as well.
For additional information, please contact:
William Bird
+27828871370 / williamb@mma.org.za
buy generic tricor 160mg fenofibrate 160mg uk tricor 200mg for sale
Hi mediamonitoringafrica.org admin, Thanks for the detailed post!
ketotifen 1mg brand cheap imipramine tofranil 25mg ca
buy tadalafil 40mg online cheap tadalafil tablets brand viagra
precose 50mg us order prandin 2mg pills buy fulvicin pills for sale
order aspirin 75mg for sale levoflox pill buy imiquad without a prescription
buy generic dipyridamole pill pravachol 10mg buy generic pravachol for sale
buy meloset sale aygestin 5mg for sale danocrine price
Hi mediamonitoringafrica.org admin, You always provide clear explanations and definitions.
duphaston online buy brand dydrogesterone 10mg jardiance online
fludrocortisone 100mcg usa buy imodium 2mg online order imodium online
prasugrel where to buy where to buy prasugrel without a prescription buy tolterodine 2mg sale
buy etodolac 600 mg online colospa tablet order generic cilostazol 100mg
order ferrous generic actonel 35mg cost order generic sotalol 40 mg
buy mestinon without a prescription order mestinon 60mg for sale buy rizatriptan 10mg pills
enalapril uk doxazosin 1mg ca buy duphalac generic
buy xalatan eye drop buy rivastigmine 3mg buy rivastigmine without a prescription
order prilosec 20mg online cheap order lopressor generic metoprolol 100mg ca
premarin ca sildenafil 50mg canada purchasing viagra on the internet
buy micardis 20mg online cheap micardis pills purchase molnupiravir pill
order cialis 20mg online cheap cheap cialis tablets female viagra pill
cenforce 100mg price cenforce online chloroquine order
purchase omnicef generic glucophage usa brand prevacid
provigil uk cheap modafinil 100mg purchase prednisone for sale
order isotretinoin pill buy accutane for sale cheap azithromycin 250mg
order atorvastatin 40mg generic amlodipine 10mg us norvasc drug
order azipro 250mg sale gabapentin 100mg generic purchase neurontin generic