Canada: CFWIJ condemns the hateful trolling against Natasha Fatah

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July 5, 2021- Natasha Fatah, host and reporter for CBC News, endured vicious trolling by an anonymous account who wished cancer on her and her father in a tweet. The journalist responded that she deals with her fair share of trolling, but the latest comments might be a new low. CFWIJ condemns the toxic trend of online trolling targeting women journalists. We stand in solidarity with Natasha and denounce the hateful online attack against her.  

 The anonymous troll tweeted his reply under a tweet of Andrea Housten, a journalist and Queer Media instructor at Ryerson University journalism school. Andrea criticized Natasha’s take on climate change as a natural phenomenon. Andrea’s comments did not initiate hate against the journalist, but an anonymous account followed with malicious remarks targeting Natasha and her family.

Andrea replied and confronted the online assailant for his hateful comment. In response, Natasha tweeted, “I deal with my fair share of trolling but wishing cancer on me and my dad- might be a new low.” Several journalists and media colleagues also replied to the thread in her support. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the cruel attacks on women journalists. We believe the internet should be a safe space for its users, with mechanisms in place to combat the vicious trolls who attack women journalists.