October 1, 2021 – Journalist Saba Eitizaz received misogynist, racist and threatening emails as part of a malicious campaign launched against women journalists and women in colour.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is concerned about the vicious threats issued to journalists after a right-wing politician incited his supporters against reporters. We reported a rise in violent threats from white supremacist groups, which especially targeted journalist women of colour. The CFWIJ demands Canadian authorities launch an immediate investigation into the matter and ensure the safety of journalists.

Saba, an award-winning journalist, co-host and producer at Toronto Star, received misogynist and racist threats over her email and was accused of being a ‘traitor’. 

Speaking to the CFWIJ, Saba said that similar sort of threatening emails, containing sexulised and racist vitriol, were sent to multiple women journalists in recent days. The timing and the dangerous labelling of women of colour as “traitors” indicates an organized smear campaign against certain journalists, she added.

The wave of threats began after right-wing politician Maxime Bernier tweeted a provocative message inciting his supporters. Maxime reportedly deleted the tweet later but the slew of racist and deeply gendered threats continued. 

This is not the first time Saba has been threatened and harassed. “I am in exile because of threats from [my home country] Pakistan. And now to receive the same kind of highly sexualised abuse and threats in Canada as well where I came to be safe is obviously very disturbing,” she told CFWIJ.

Saba believes that journalists of colour are being targeted more frequently in connection with the racially charged atmosphere of Canada’s election season. It is getting more toxic on social media, she said. “Over the past few weeks far-right and anti-vaxxer groups have been growing in Canada in an echo of what we saw in the United States on January 6. They all have common threads.” 

After Saba posted the threats on social media, at least six other women journalists, who were sent similar threats, came forward. Within a span of days the number of targeted journalists had more than doubled.

Bethany Lindsay and Sarah Reiger from CBC, Abby Neufeld from CTV Toronto, Jaela Bernstein, 5X Press’ editor-in-chief Rumneek Johal and Anandi Sen from Ederman, were among the journalists who were called traitors. Most of them received threatening emails sent by the same email address.

Ongoing threats against Saba take a severe turn

The ongoing threats against journalists of color have taken a severe turn. On October 1, Saba was sent yet another vile email. Racist, Islamophobic and deeply gendered threats made in the email directly targeted Saba. 

Saba took to Twitter to share the latest threat she was sent. “I would offer a trigger warning but I think Canada deserves to be a little uncomfortable right now,” she said. She also drew attention to the situation in Canada by pointing out that this targeted campaign against women journalists continues in the backdrop of Women’s History Month. 

“As PM Justin Trudeau tweets his support was celebration of women on Women's History Month I would like to know if it includes racialized women journalists facing this wave of violence after those like Ibbitson actually legitimised such people’s right to send me something like this,” she quoted.  

Thus far,  at least 15 women journalists, including Saba, have been deliberately targeted with vile racist and sexist rhetoric after Maxime instigated his support base against the press. 

Like the CFWIJ, The Canadian Association of Journalists also issued a comprehensive statement and demanded an investigation into those vicious attacks. 

This widespread intimidation of journalists is not only unethical but also criminal. Especially when the threats and emails contain hateful rhetoric targeting the race, gender and sexual orientation of these journalists. Not only is it an attack on democratic principles and the freedom of press but it also puts at risk the multiculturalism that the country boasts of. Online trolling can manifest into serious consequences, including physical attacks, home invasions, assault and murder. 

The CFWIJ is following the ongoing online attacks against journalists with great concern. We condemn these attempts to intimidate women journalists and silence their voices. The CFWIJ stands in solidarity with these journalists and demands an immediate investigation. We urge the Canadian authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators of these vicious attacks to book and ensure the protection of journalists.