SA Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Female Journalists Amid Rising Safety Concerns

In an official statement, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga highlighted that female journalists continue to encounter heightened levels of risk while carrying out their professional duties.

As South Africa reaffirms its commitment to constitutional democracy and press freedom, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has issued a strong call for coordinated action to safeguard female journalists, warning that their safety remains under growing threat.

The appeal comes in the context of World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on May 3, against an increasingly alarming backdrop of harassment, violence, and intimidation faced by women in the media industry.

Female Journalists Face Disproportionate Risks

In an official statement, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga highlighted that female journalists continue to encounter heightened levels of risk while carrying out their professional duties.

"Female journalists are disproportionately subjected to harassment, intimidation, online abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) threats," the Minister said, stressing that such conditions not only endanger individuals but also weaken the foundations of media freedom and democratic governance.

These risks, she noted, extend across multiple environments—from field reporting and newsroom settings to digital platforms—creating a pervasive climate of insecurity for women in journalism.

Press Freedom Tied to Safety and Human Rights

Chikunga emphasized that a free, independent, and secure media ecosystem is essential for upholding:

• Human rights

• Transparency and accountability

• Democratic participation

However, she acknowledged that for many women journalists, exercising these freedoms often comes at a personal cost.

"For numerous women in journalism, exercising these freedoms entails personal sacrifices," she said, pointing to the psychological, professional, and physical toll of operating in hostile environments.

Link to Broader GBV Crisis

The Minister drew a direct connection between the challenges faced by female journalists and South Africa's broader struggle against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

She described women journalists as "custodians of truth and democracy," underscoring that attacks against them are not just individual violations but part of a wider societal issue that demands urgent intervention.

"Their protection is non-negotiable. It is imperative that their voices are not silenced by fear, violence or discrimination," Chikunga asserted.

Call for Multi-Stakeholder Action

The department has called for a comprehensive, multi-layered response involving media institutions, digital platforms, and society at large.

Key recommendations include:

• Media houses to strengthen workplace policies addressing harassment, intimidation, and safety risks

• Social media platforms to take decisive action against online abuse, gender-based hate speech, and targeted harassment

• Public awareness efforts to recognize and respect the role of women journalists

The department also emphasized the importance of adopting international safety frameworks, particularly those developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which aim to protect journalists and combat impunity.

Global Concern, Local Urgency

The call reflects a growing global concern over the safety of journalists, especially women, who increasingly face targeted attacks both offline and online. Experts warn that such threats can lead to self-censorship, reduced participation, and weakened democratic discourse.

Protecting Democracy Through Protection of Journalists

As South Africa marks World Press Freedom Day, the government's message is clear: safeguarding female journalists is not only a matter of individual rights but a cornerstone of democratic resilience.

By ensuring that women in media can work freely and without fear, the country reinforces its broader commitment to constitutional values, gender equality, and press freedom.