India: CFWIJ condemns the harassment and threats against Vineetha Venu

May 31, 2021 - Former journalist at a leading Malayalam news network, Vineetha Venu, came forward about threats and harassment to her and her family in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 29. She alleged that she and her family were subjected to moral policing by cyberbullies of The Communist Party of India (CPI-M). The journalist explained that vile trolls attacked her husband on unfounded allegations. She also quoted another unprovoked attack when she reported on details of a COVID-19-positive patient. The supporters of CPI-M accused her husband of providing her inside details regarding the case. In her Facebook post, Vineethaaddressed the leadership of CPI-M, "I, my husband and small young children will come to Kannur town square-finish us off. But plz kill us with a single swing of the machete (a broad knife)." CFWIJ condemns the persistent harassment against Vineetha and her family. The smear campaign, harassment, and threats against the journalist must be investigated by the cybersecurity division of Kerala police. We demand that Vineetha be able to pursue her professional commitments without facing further persecution. 

In her Facebook post, Vineetha wrote that her husband was visiting his friend's parents when he was confronted by a group of drunk individuals. She reported that the police arrived at the scene and rescued her husband. However, CPI-M accused her husband of being found in suspicious circumstances. Having never even ingested alcohol, her husband had to undergo medical testing, which came back negative. In speaking to the Indo-Asian News Service, Vineetha shared that ever since she reported on the murder of Shuhaib, a young Congress worker, she has faced targeted harassment from CPI-M members. Shuhaib was allegedly attacked by a group of men affiliated with CPI-M on February 12, 2018, and died the next day. Vineetha's on-spot reporting of the incident sparked a barrage of abuse against her on social media.

In another instance, Vineetha was persecuted by political party supporters for her coverage of the details of a COVID-19-positive patient. Cyber trolls accused Vineetha of using her husband to gather information on the case. She confronted the accusations, attesting that she covered the story within her journalistic investigation. She explained that her husband is a lower-level police officer, and only the higher-ranking police had information. Following the accusations, her husband was transferred seven times in a row. His transfer was cancelled after the journalist filed a complaint with the state police chief.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the persistent online harassment and persecution of Vineetha by supporters of the CPI-M. The journalist has suffered prolonged anxiety, fearing the safety of herself and her family after incessant abuse and baseless allegations. We demand that cybersecurity officials in Kerala investigate the concerns leveled by Vineetha and apprehend the people behind the targeted attacks.