A multimedia journalist, Mr. Akeem Abas, has called for stronger protection of women journalists against all forms of abuse, particularly those facilitated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Abas made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan to mark the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
He said the 2025 theme, ‘Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women Journalists’ exrays the growing digital threats confronting women in the media.
Abas, a Bloomberg Scholar, editor, commentator, fellowship award winner and author, said technology had created new avenues for harassment, intimidation, and disinformation targeting female journalists.
He noted that Africa, particularly Nigeria, had witnessed rising online attacks, deepfakes, and gender-based hate campaigns that silence women’s voices and weaken democracy.
Abas urged governments, media organisations and civil society to enforce accountability, ensure justice for victims, and strengthen digital safety protocols for women journalists.
He said that impunity remained the biggest enabler of these attacks, as perpetrators often go unpunished, emboldening others to continue their acts of intimidation.
Abas advocated digital literacy, newsroom safety policies and the establishment of support systems to empower journalists to report without fear or harassment.
He urged the media community to stand in solidarity, saying no journalist should ever stand alone, no attack should go unanswered and no truth must remain suppressed.
