Seventy percent of environmental journalists from 129 countries, polled in March, reported experiencing attacks, threats or pressure related to their job, UNESCO said Thursday.
Of those, two in five subsequently experienced physical violence, it said in a report released on World Press Freedom Day. More than 900 reporters were questioned for the poll.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization warned of an increase in violence against and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate.
“Without reliable scientific information about the ongoing environmental crisis, we can never hope to overcome it,” UNESCO director general Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.
“And yet the journalists we rely on to investigate this subject and ensure information is accessible face unacceptably high risks all over the world, and climate-related disinformation is running rampant on social media.”
UNESCO said at least 749 journalists and news media outlets reporting on environmental issues were “targeted with murder, physical violence, detention and arrest, online harassment or legal attacks” between 2009 and 2023.
More than 300 of those attacks occurred between 2019 and 2023 –- a 42 percent increase on the preceding five-year period.
“The problem is global, with attacks taking place in 89 countries in all regions of the world,” the agency added.
At least 44 environmental journalists have been killed for their work in the past 15 years, with convictions in only five cases, said the report.
On top of hundreds of reported physical attacks, “a third of journalists surveyed said they had been censored,” it added.
“Almost half (45 percent) said they self-censored when covering the environment due to fear of being attacked, having their sources exposed, or due to an awareness that their stories conflicted with the interests of concerned stakeholders.”
At a press freedom conference in Chile this week, UNESCO will announce the launch of a grants program to provide legal and technical support to over 500 environmental journalists facing persecution, said the statement.
Megan Thee Stallion forced her cameraman to watch her having sex in a moving car, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles. Emilio Garcia says the incident, which happened on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza, was part of a campaign of harassment that also included fat-shaming him.
“Emilio should never have been put in a position of having to be in the vehicle with her while she had sex with another woman,” said Garcia’s lawyer Ron Zambrano. “‘Inappropriate’ is putting it lightly. Exposing this behaviour to employees is definitely illegal.”
The suit alleges the incident took place in June of 2022 when Garcia, who worked as a personal photographer to the star, was on tour with her.
“Plaintiff could not get out of the car as it was both moving and he was in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country,” says the suit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. “Plaintiff was embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal.”
The Hot Girl Summer artist told Garcia not to talk about what he had seen, says the suit, which also claims she would tell him he was fat and ate too much.
Garcia’s suit says the 29-year-old star began employing him in 2018, but classified him as an independent contractor, rather than an employee. That meant he was not eligible for benefits such as health care or overtime pay, which could have run into the six figures. The suit claims Garcia was contracted to work eight-hour days, but was required to take calls from Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, outside those times and to perform other tasks without being given proper breaks.
The suit, which alleges retaliation and multiple state Labour Code violations names as defendants Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment, Inc., Hot Girl Touring LLC, and Roc Nation. Garcia is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
“Megan just needs to pay our client what he’s due, own up to her behaviour and quit this sort of sexual harassment and fat shaming conduct,” said Zambrano.
Entertainment outlet Page Six cited Megan Thee Stallion’s lawyer Alex Spiro as denying the allegations. “This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” the lawyer told the outlet. “We will deal with this in court.”
Last year, Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was jailed for 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet during a drunken argument after a Hollywood party.
London, United Kingdom – A court in eastern England on Tuesday became the first in the country to jail someone for a new cyber-flashing offence, sentencing a convicted sex offender to 66 weeks in prison.
A judge at Southend Crown Court handed Nicholas Hawkes, 39, the jail term after he previously admitted to the newly designated offence at an earlier appearance.
Cyber-flashing, which can involve offenders sending people an unsolicited sexual image on social media, dating apps or by other electronic communication, became a crime in England and Wales on January 31.
It was part of the government’s Online Safety Act.
Hawkes, from Basildon, east of London, pleaded guilty to two counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.
He had admitted the latest offences of sending unsolicited images to a 15-year-old girl and a woman on February 9.
The woman took screenshots of the photograph on WhatsApp and reported him to police the same day.
Hawkes was already on the sex offenders register after a conviction last year of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old and exposure, for which he also received a community order.
On Tuesday he also pleaded guilty to breaching that order and breaching a suspended sentence for another sexual offence.
Victims of the new cyber-flashing offence and other image-based abuses have lifelong anonymity from the moment they report it under the Sexual Offences Act.
Khyber Medical University (KMU) has officially prohibited ‘intimate relationship’ between members of staff and students in accordance with the Higher Education Commission to put an end to harassment on campuses.
Dr Brekhna Jamil, the chairperson of KMU’s harassment inquiry committee, issued the notification, stating that severe penalties will be implemented if the policy is violated along with a possible oral or written “reprimand, dismissal, suspension, expulsion, disciplinary probation, imposition of fine, withholding of degree, cancellation of professional licence, inclusion of decision in personal file and other related sanctions as deemed appropriate,” reports Dawn.
“These relationships pose conflicts of interest, compromise professional judgment, and risk the credibility of the institution. The individuals involved in such relationships should declare it,” the notification read — titled ‘Prohibition of intimate or romantic relationships between faculty members, staff and students as per HEC’s policy on protection against sexual harassment in higher education institutions 2020,’ .
After seven years of relentless struggle and facing criticism, television host Tanzeela Mazhar, a former anchor at Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) News, finally received justice in her battle against sexual harassment as she was acquitted in a defamation case filed by her harasser.
الحمدللہ ۔:: عدالت نے سابق ڈائریکٹر کرنٹ افئیرز پی ٹی وی آغا مسعود شورش کے جانب سے دائر کئے گئے ہتک عزت کے کیس سے بری کر دیا ہے۔ یہ کیس گزشتہ سات برس چلتا رہا ۔ یہ لڑائی میں 15 برسوں سے لڑ رہی ہوں ۔ یہ لڑائی جیت یا ہار کی نہیں ایک اصول کی ہے ۔ میں نے اس سارے عرصے میں بہت لوگوں…
Mazhar’s ordeal began in January 2017 when she bravely exposed Agha Masood Shorish, former director of current affairs on the state television, on X (formerly Twitter) for making “unwelcome advances” towards her in 2009.
She shared that he took her off-screen after she confronted him. Screenshots of her chat added to the post revealed the harassment against her and another journalist, Yashfeen Jamal.
In November 2017, PTV terminated Shorish, and the decision followed a series of investigations, with a total of five inquiries launched against Shorish, three of which specifically addressed allegations of sexual harassment.
The severity of the situation prompted 14 producers from PTV to lodge a formal complaint against Shorish in the Islamabad High Court, elevating the issue to the national platform.
The matter garnered further attention when it was brought up in the National Assembly, prompting the Information Ministry to issue a notification for Shorish’s termination.
Since 2017, Mazhar has been fighting the criminal defamation lawsuit that was filed against her soon after she raised the matter of sexual harassment.
“It is about not losing your ground”
She believes, “It is not about winning or losing a case, it is about not losing your ground. When you talk about harassment, you are slapped with defamation cases by your harassers because they want you to step back from your ground.”
The former PTV anchor asserted that this is a pattern that has been seen in multiple cases. Her co-complainant Yashfeen Jamal’s out-of-court settlement and statements made life difficult for her as that impacted her case.
Mazhar faced backlash from her journalist fraternity and struggled to find a job. She now works as Head of Programming and Current Affairs at GTV News Pk.
She is also the co-founder of Women in Media Alliance, a support center, which seeks to promote fair and inclusive representation of women in media organizations across Pakistan. They believe in highlighting the work of women affiliated with different mediums and providing them with a platform to get their voices heard.
Court Hearings and Societal Pressure
“Men of the family and home, nobody likes that a woman of your family goes every morning to deal with a court case because that is how our society is,” explains Tanzeela while remembering how she was never exempted from a court hearing, faced warrants due to absence, even when she was traveling somewhere for work or there was an emergency.
She saw the ordeal as an opportunity, all thanks to her nerves of steel. She went back to university and became a lawyer.
“The message to their egos as they felt they were punishing me, it all changed because the case went on for so long that I eventually started appearing in uniform. He tried to use every influence he had, his father was influential, so he had contacts with everyone, from bureaucracy to the judiciary to intelligentsia, but I fought against him,” she said with a spark in her eyes and a smile on her face.
Mazhar’s Resignation and Response from Management:
The fallout from the allegations against Shorish had a significant impact on PTV’s workforce. In March of the same year, Mazhar announced her resignation expressing her disappointment with the handling of the situation.
She criticized the leadership, particularly referencing statements made by Maryam Nawaz and her party regarding the respect of women. Mazhar’s departure marked a poignant moment, highlighting the pervasive issue of moral corruption within the institution.
Legal Battles and Renewal of Contracts:
Meanwhile, the legal ramifications of the scandal continued to unfold. In February, PTV management renewed the contracts of Mazhar and her colleague, Jamal, amidst ongoing legal battles.
Shorish retaliated by filing a defamation suit against Mazhar and Jamal, further complicating the situation. Despite mounting pressure, State Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb, assured the public of the impartiality of the inquiry committee tasked with investigating the harassment complaints.
Timeline of Events and Parliamentary Intervention:
The timeline of events reveals a complex web of inquiries and bureaucratic procedures. In January, the inquiry committee submitted its report to the PTV managing director, albeit with delays.
Women lawmakers in the National Assembly demanded clarification on the lack of action taken against Shorish, amplifying the voices calling for accountability. The internal turmoil within PTV was further exacerbated by a circular issued by management, warning employees against making public comments on the ongoing investigations.
Amidst the turmoil, Tanzeela Mazhar took to social media to publicly disclose her experiences with Shorish.
In January 2017, she exposed Shorish’s unwelcome advances towards her on Twitter, shedding light on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within PTV. Screenshots of personal conversations added weight to her claims, sparking a public outcry and igniting a national conversation about workplace harassment.
In October 2018, Mazhar revealed that the internal inquiry conducted over the past two years was inadequate. She recounts facing bullying and threats throughout the process. Despite the eventual sacking of the director, the consequences do not include accountability for harassment.
Additionally, Mazhar and her colleague Yashfeen Jamal navigate through two defamation lawsuits, both criminal and civil, further adding to the complexity of their situation. Mazhar’s journey involves recounting her experiences before probing committees and courtroom appearances, all while facing stigmatization from her offenders.
Three years after filing her complaint against harassment at PTV, Mazhar finally received the inquiry report on August 20, 2019, upon approaching the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH). However, the report was classified as a secret document, further complicating Mazhar’s quest for justice. Her appeals for redress from the PTI government also went unanswered.
She attended court hearings to confront criminal defamation charges on October 9, 20, and 22, November 16 and 23, in the same year reflecting the ongoing legal challenges she faced in her fight against harassment.
In 2020, Mazhar appeared at the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment to present her arguments for challenging the inquiry report by PTV. She alleged that the inquiry was not conducted fairly and promptly, highlighting that the report was not shared with her until July 2019.
Finally, on September 15, her appeal against PTV’s report was brought before the ombudsman for an additional hearing. Despite the initial expectation of concluding the report within 30 days, the process extended to a prolonged duration of three years.
In September 2021, the court refused to accommodate Mazhar’s medical concerns during her trial, despite her being pregnant and nursing a fractured foot.
Finally, on January 30, 2024, a Pakistani trial court acquitted Tanzeela Mazhar in the criminal defamation case, bringing an end to her seven-year-long legal battle.
Throughout this ordeal, Mazhar’s resilience and determination to combat harassment have been evident. Her victory serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against harassment and seeking justice, even in the face of adversity.
“I was fighting for a larger cause, and I want women to keep fighting. It took 15 years of my life, this has made me a new person and has increased my passion to fight for gender rights,” she gives her message.
The latest National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) report reveals another concerning figure of child abuse recorded in 2023.
According to the report, Cruel Numbers 2023, a total of 4,213 children were reportedly affected by abuse of various kinds in Pakistan.
This indicates that 11 children were abused everyday.
The report is compiled by Sahil and as per the reported cases, 53 percent of the victims were girls while 47 percent were boys.
The youngest age group of children sexually abused was between 0-5 years old.
Highest number of cases recorded were in Punjab with 75 percent reported incidents.
Sahil Executive Director Manizeh Bano points out that Article 25-A of the Constitution assures free education for children aged between five to 16 years, further asserting on the “importance of providing life-skills based education to empower children and protect them from exploitation”.
Ali Noor has finally spoken up about the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him. The singer said that the two girls who accused him of sexual harassment were not known to anyone, adding that they had some hidden reasons for making the accusations. He insists that their claims are untrue.
In a recent appearance on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, he revealed that the woman named Ayesha bint Rashid, who accused him, was dealing with severe depression and had even contemplated suicide. He shared that her life was saved. He said that Ayesha was contacted from his wife’s mobile instead of his own while the other woman was Maha Kazmi and she was also unknown.
The lead singer of Noori band described the allegations of sexual harassment by the two women as a drama. “I never harassed any woman while every girl felt safe with me. We have been working in a very pleasant mood and this may sound wrong to some people but I have never harassed any woman.” He went on to say, “Because of their allegations, my career was ruined. No one wanted to work with me, and I stopped getting job opportunities. During concerts, everyone started calling me a sexual predator.” Adding that he was surprised to see people’s behaviour, he said, “These are the same people who, when I was sick, they had prayed for me in this difficult time, I came back only because of their prayers. Then I realized why it is said, ‘Watu’iz mun tashaa’ and ‘waltuzil mun tashaa’, why both honor and humiliation have been kept together.”
The Manwa Re singer said that the incident did not affect his family but he has said “goodbye” to the industry. “Now we have nothing to do with any TV channel or music house.” Ali Noor was accused of sexual harassment by journalist Ayesha bint Rashid in February 2022 and then by singer Maha Kazmi in April 2023.
Ali Noor rejected the allegations of both women. He had also sent a legal notice to singer Maha Kazmi.
Incidents detailing the harassment of a female officer in the administration of Islamia University in Bahawalpur have been reported, following on the heels of earlier reports about female students facing the same.
An application has been submitted to The Woman Ombudsman, Government of Punjab, by the female administrative staff stating clearly that the allegations of harassment against senior faculty members including the Dean of Faculty of Law, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, In-charge faculty of Management Sciences and SLO South Punjab Civil Secretariat.
The victim is Farkhanda Tehseen, Director of Development and Planning, whose complaint was ignored, leading to her eventually presenting it in front of the woman ombudsman as she is receiving threats from the suspect.
Dean Law Department Rao Imran Habib has threatened her on the phone about the dire consequences. She registered a complaint against him on June 10, 2023, but no action was taken. Instead of taking action against workplace harassment, another committee has been established which is not taking any active measures.
The victim requested the ombudsman that the accused should be stopped from working so that he could not influence the case further. Ironically, the Dean Faculty of Engineering, who is nominated in the complaint, is also part of the established syndicate and Rao Imran is in cohorts with him.
Dean Law Department Rao Imran Habib is reportedly notorious for his activities during his tenure in Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) and there are reports of him creating hurdles for students here in Islamiya University as well.
Governor Punjab and the university administration have not taken up the matter yet.
In an exclusive interview with The News, former federal minister and central leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shazia Marri, shared her perspective on various topics, from her political journey to cultural aspirations.
Marri expressed her appreciation for the compliments she receives about resembling Indian actress Anushka Sharma.
She stated that she feels good when people say, “I resemble Indian actress Anushka Sharma”.
Addressing the cultural landscape, Marri expressed her vision for revitalizing the film industry if given the opportunity to lead the culture ministry in the future.
“If I get the culture ministry next time, I will restore the film industry and make it a vibrant one.” Film is a medium, and India has used it well. “We also have to make purposeful films. Our artists have a lot of talent,” she added.
Reflecting on her career, Marri revealed her beginnings as a schoolteacher and her passion for teaching children.
She acknowledged being married at a young age and conveyed her commitment to addressing social issues, particularly her stance against domestic violence and child marriages.
Responding to questions about Karachi’s street crimes, Marri acknowledged the challenges in a metropolitan city and emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions.
In discussing the hurdles faced in politics, Marri compared it to a “garland of thorns,” acknowledging the obstacles and opposition she encountered.
“If I start crying about the abuses and injustices done to me, I may not be able to move forward,” she added. “Many attempts were made to break me as a woman. I also faced harassment. I have seen very stiff opposition,” Shazia Marri recalled.
Marri recalled her entry into politics, inspired by the encouragement of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. She made history by contesting and winning a general seat from Sanghar, eventually serving as both a provincial and federal minister. Coming from a family with a political legacy, she initially resisted entering politics but eventually embraced her role.
The former federal minister also discussed her participation in hosting a television show while being a member of the provincial assembly. Despite initially not anticipating becoming a federal minister, Marri consistently upheld the PPP’s ideology.
According to Korean media, a female stalker was arrested after she trespassed BTS member V’s residence. The woman caught the singer off-guard while presenting him with their marriage certificate. She has been arrested by authorities.
Soompi reported the woman followed V into his residence’s elevator, wanting to speak with them, before she presented him with their fake marriage certificate.
The female stalker has a history of stalking V, media reports say this is not the first time she approached the singer.
BTS’s agency BigHit Entertainment addressed the situation with a statement saying they do not tolerate the personal lives of their artists being breached in this manner.
“We are responding with a no-tolerance policy to stalking crimes that disturb our artist’s personal life and threaten their safety.”
V assured his fans he was alright by sharing a selfie on Weverse and captioning it “he he I’m okay don’t worry.”
Previously, BigHit Entertainment announced in a statement on Weverse they were going to take legal action against fans who repeatedly trespassed the personal boundaries of the boyband members by sending packages directly to their homes. They noted legal proceedings were underway against perpetuators which related to sexual harassment, spreading misinformation and defamation.
“Hello. This is BigHit Music. Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism. We would like to provide an update on these important activities. During this quarter, we filed multiple criminal complaints with law enforcement agencies based on evidence related to acts infringing on the rights of the artists, including defamation, submitted by our fans as well as collected through our own monitoring.”
The statement revealed several of the packages sent to the boyband member’s residences caused harm to their families, who have now filed criminal complaints against them on grounds of stalking.
