Surviving amid gendered disinformation: analyzing mental well-being of women journalists in Pakistan

Women journalists in Pakistan are working in risky conditions where they undergo gender-based disinformation, online harassment and trolling with misogynist posts. They are subject to gendered disinformation for silencing their dissenting voices on digital and social media platforms. This bears a profound impact on the mental well-being of female journalists affecting their personal and professional lives. Keeping in view the severity and urgency of the issue, current research aims to explore the lived experiences of women journalists subjected to online gendered disinformation and harassment, while investigating its impact on their mental well-being. In-depth interviews of twelve seasoned women journalists working in Pakistan are conducted through purposive sampling. Grounded in post-colonial feminist and intersectionality theory, study reveals that Pakistani women journalists suffer online gendered disinformation and structural violence. They face online harassment, character assassination, sexist/misogynist narrative, trolling, manipulation of photos and death threats. It is rooted in the post-colonial patriarchal system perpetuating women oppression and marginalization. Understudy participants belong to strong socio-economic background holding intersecting identities as women, educated elite, independent, and journalists consequently amplify systematic oppression, gender-based violence, harassment and hierarchical discrimination. Prevalence of dissemination of online gendered disinformation is deeply embedded in patriarchal system, structural violence, misogynist attitudes and conservative socio-cultural norms. Targeted campaigns against women journalists are orchestrated by peers, political and religious actors for oppression and silencing women journalists’ voices. Women face severe mental health issues including anxiety and panic attacks. Despite lack of institutional and government support against gendered disinformation, these women journalists challenge the patriarchy and oppression by exhibiting resilience and continue to serve. Although participants employ various copying mechanisms of taking support from family, friends, and prayers, however these strategies reinforce self-censorship and self-silencing. Exposing the interplay of socio-political power dynamics, gender discrimination, and structural violence against women, participants call for collective efforts by stakeholders for bringing systematic change and promoting conducive environments for women journalists in Pakistan.