United Kingdom: CFWIJ condemns the online troll attack on Sonja McLaughlan
/
March 1, 2021, London: Reporter Sonja McLaughlan was targeted with vile online attacks following her coverage of a rugby match. The abuses hurled at her took an emotional toll. The attack was so intense in nature that her employer firm and the rugby board extended messages of comfort and support.
Sonja McLaughlan was tasked to cover the Wales v England match that took place on Saturday, February 27. However, following her coverage McLaughlan received misogynistic and abusive attacks on social media. The online trolling was so vicious that Mclaughlin was forced to tweet in response, in which she angrily called out her attackers for being “toxic” and “appalling”, claiming their tweets had left her in tears.
Toxic, embarrassing, disgraceful, appalling. Just some of the feedback I’ve had.
— Sonja McLaughlan (@Sonjamclaughlan) February 27, 2021
Thanks for using @ sign so it’s all hit home.
Now imagine getting inundated with abuse for doing your job.
In my car crying. Hope you’re happy
On Sunday, England Rugby responded to Sonja and extended a message of support claiming that it is not okay that she be attacked for merely doing her job.
Sonja, we are really sorry to hear this and hope you are ok.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 28, 2021
Abuse for doing your job is not OK and we stand with you.
We will see you for the next one. Hold your head high and know you have our support.
Guinness Six Nations extended support as well, claiming that respect is an important value of the sport and any kind of abuse is unacceptable in the conversation.
Sonja, we join with the rest of the rugby community to say that this is not ok.
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 27, 2021
Respect is a value of rugby we hold in the highest regard.
Abuse of public figures or members of the media on social media or anywhere else is not acceptable.
Her employer organization BBC Sports also released a statement, condemning the hate she received, and backed their reporter stating that, “Sonja has long been a key member of our Six Nations team and she absolutely has our full support.”
Sonja was attacked for apparently being partial to the English side in her coverage of the game. However, it is important to understand that whatever the case may be, abusive online attacks can never be justified. Sports journalism has remained a difficult space for women journalists to enter due to prevalent sexist attitudes. To silence the few voices that are present there is despicable behaviour.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the attack on Sonja, and offers her our full support. Women will carve out space for themselves in the world for sports reporting, come what may, and we are glad to see that sports organizations are backing women’s voices.
