Industry leaders sign letter calling on police to tackle abuse against women journalists

More than 100 journalists and media industry leaders have signed a letter to UK police chiefs asking them to “do everything you can to break the cycle of abuse that risks sidelining women from journalism”, reports Press Gazette.

The letter, led by Reach, Women in Journalism and Reporters Without Borders, asked three police representatives on the Government-coordinated National Committee for the Safety of Journalists to take action in four ways that could help “secure a safer future for women working in journalism in the UK”.

Research conducted by Women in Journalism and Reach last year found that 18% of around 400 women journalists who responded had considered leaving the media industry altogether as a result of abuse and threats online.

Journalist Katie French, regional editor at Newsquest Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, was among those to sign the letter.

The full list of signatures can be viewed here.