Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Gendered attacks on women journalists are nothing new. President Trump however has taken misogynistic vitriol to a new level during his second term, heckling women covering the White House with insults like piggy, not smart enough, and a terrible person. When these words come from the head of government, they can unleash a torrent of abuse – both online and in real life – against the targeted journalist. And although it has become a regular occurrence, we cannot normalise this pernicious pattern of abuse. This session examines the ways that political leaders wield misogyny globally to chill free speech and undermine press freedom, and what the journalism support community must do to fight back in support of their colleagues under fire. Introduction by Kathy Im. Moderated by Elisa Lees Muñoz. Organised in association with the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Con: Soraya Chemaly (author and activist), Juliana Dal Piva (vice president Abraji), Kathy Im (director journalism and media MacArthur Foundation), Elisa Lees Munoz (executive director International Women’s Media Foundation), Karyn Maughan (legal journalist News24)
Gendered attacks on women journalists are nothing new. President Trump however has taken misogynistic vitriol to a new level during his second term, heckling women covering the White House with insults like piggy, not smart enough, and a terrible person. When these words come from the head of government, they can unleash a torrent of abuse – both online and in real life – against the targeted journalist. And although it has become a regular occurrence, we cannot normalise this pernicious pattern of abuse. This session examines the ways that political leaders wield misogyny globally to chill free speech and undermine press freedom, and what the journalism support community must do to fight back in support of their colleagues under fire. Introduction by Kathy Im. Moderated by Elisa Lees Muñoz. Organised in association with the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Con: Soraya Chemaly (author and activist), Juliana Dal Piva (vice president Abraji), Kathy Im (director journalism and media MacArthur Foundation), Elisa Lees Munoz (executive director International Women’s Media Foundation), Karyn Maughan (legal journalist News24)
