Canada: Ashleigh-Rae Thomas amongst journalists targeted in the online troll campaign. CFWIJ condemns the attacks against women journalists and journalists of color

October 4, 2021, Toronto - At least 18 journalists received vile emails after right-wing politician Maxime Bernier tweeted a provocative message to his followers. Displeased by their coverage of his work, and their line of inquiry, Bernier encouraged his supporters to “play dirty”, thus initiating a violent targeted harassment campaign. He even went so far as to publish the email addresses of some of the journalists online, making them vulnerable to online abuse. Although later taken down by Twitter, the journalists faced hostile digital attacks as a result of his tweets.

CFWIJ earlier reported on the cases of Christy Somos, Saba Eitizaz and other journalists who received racist and deeply gendered emails after Bernier’s tweets. Now, Ashleigh-Rae Thomas has approached The Coalition For Women In Journalism regarding a similar email she received. It does not go unnoticed that Bernier’s since deleted tweet exclusively mentioned women journalists and journalists of color, and it is precisely these two groups that have been disproportionately targeted. 

At least 17 women journalists have come forward, sharing screenshots of the abuse they received as a result of Bernier unjustifiably instigating his support base against the press. The journalists work for different organizations and cover different beats, and have been solely targeted with vile racist and sexist rhetoric. 

The Canadian Association of Journalists has since issued a comprehensive statement and demanded investigations into the matter. The widespread bullying and abuse towards journalists is not only unethical but also criminal. Especially when those messages are based on hateful rhetoric targeting the race, gender, and sexual orientation of the journalists. Not only is it an attack on democratic principles and the free press but also puts at risk the multiculturalism that the country boasts of.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends its complete support to the journalists being targeted and joins the call for a thorough investigation into the issue. The attacks appear to be coordinated and planned and the law enforcement authorities need to hold accountable whoever is responsible for it. We condemn the actions of Maxime Bernier whose reckless and insensitive tweets led to the entire press community feeling vulnerable to hate and threats.