From Tek Fog to 'Bulli Bai', Editors Guild condemns 'online harassment of women journalists'

Update on Oct 31, 2002: On October 23, 2002, the Wire removed its Tek Fog series from public view to conduct an internal review. The Editors’ Guild subsequently withdrew its statements from January.

The Editors Guild of India issued a statement today condemning the "continuing online harassment of women journalists, which includes targeted and organised online trolling as well as threats of sexual abuse".

Citing the Wire's recent investigative series on the app Tek Fog, the guild pointed out that "several women journalists were subjected to thousands of abusive tweets" to "instill fear in them" and "prevent them from expressing themselves freely and go about their jobs".

It also brought up the "online auction" of Muslim women, "which included journalists critical of the government", and demanded a further investigation to "ensure that all those behind such despicable acts, even beyond those arrested, are brought to justice".

The statement concluded: "Editors Guild demands that the government takes urgent steps to break and dismantle this misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system...Further, given the allegations that there may be the involvement of influential people linked to the ruling party with the app Tek Fog, the Guild demands that the Supreme Court of India takes cognisance of the matter and order a probe into it."