On National Press Day, journalist Rana Ayyub reveals alarming harassment. From doxxing to AI-generated content, her ordeal underscores the urgent need for press freedom and journalist protection in India.
Washington Post Highlights Attack on Rana Ayyub
On November 16, National Press Day, the Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership shed light on another attack on journalist Rana Ayyub. The post underscored the escalating threats against her, including the release of personal information, surveillance, and AI-generated explicit content.
Press Freedom Under Threat
The partnership, a Washington Post initiative, defends journalists worldwide. It stated that journalists must work free from intimidation. They called on the Indian government to protect Ayyub and others.
Long History of Harassment
Ayyub, known for her book Gujarat Files, has faced harassment for years. Recently, a right-wing social media account doxxed her, exposing her phone number. This led to a barrage of over 200 abusive calls and messages in one night.
Lack of Police Action
Despite filing complaints, Ayyub says there’s been little progress. Personal details like her passport scans and email passwords were leaked. She questions how such sensitive data was accessed.
Family Targeted Too
Ayyub’s family has also been targeted. Her nephew’s image was morphed with a terrorist’s photo, and her niece was harassed online. Complaints to the police yielded no results.
Emotional Toll on Ayyub
The harassment has deeply affected Ayyub. She shared that handling morphed images during police complaints was traumatic. She has been on anti-anxiety medication due to the stress.
Appeal for Action
Despite her ordeal, Ayyub remains vocal. She criticized platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for inaction and highlighted the irony of government initiatives claiming to protect women. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” she said, urging stronger measures to safeguard journalists.
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