LightRay! Media to Launch Groundbreaking Policy to Protect African and Global Women in Media

Abuja, Nigeria – LightRay! Media, a leading media organization, will be unveiling a comprehensive policy and charter aimed at promoting the safety, well-being, and professional growth through its African and Global Women in Media Initiative following the successful launch of its LightRay! 100 Women in Media Leadership Summit in 2023.

The policy, titled “Safe Journalism for Women,” signed on October 17th 2024, seeks to address the disproportionate risks faced by women journalists, including violence, harassment, and intimidation. It outlines a zero-tolerance approach to violence, ensures prompt response to incidents, and provides confidentiality and support for victims.

“We are committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community where African and Global Women in Media thrive,” said Lady Ejiro Umukoro, the Founder and CEO of LightRay! Media. “This policy is a critical step towards achieving that vision.”

The policy features a comprehensive framework for preventing and responding to violence, harassment, and intimidation. This includes training programs for women journalists, confidential reporting mechanisms, and support services. LightRay! Media will also partner with international organizations and local women’s groups to advance the safety and well-being of women journalists.

A data breakdown of the number of women journalists arrested, detained, harassed, threatened online or physically in their line of duty in Nigeria, South Africa, East Africa, North Africa, West Africa, and globally from 2015 to 2025:

Global Data

• According to Journalists Without Borders (RSF), 126 women journalists were arrested worldwide in 2020.
• The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) reported 1,047 cases of violence against women journalists globally between 2015 and 2020.
• Amnesty International documented 162 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online globally in 2020.

Africa

• In Nigeria, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) reported 15 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online between 2015 and 2020.
• In South Africa, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) documented 21 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online between 2015 and 2020.
• In East Africa, the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) reported 30 cases of women journalists being arrested, detained, or harassed between 2015 and 2020.
• In North Africa, the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) documented 40 cases of women journalists being arrested, detained, or harassed between 2015 and 2020.
• In West Africa, the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) reported 25 cases of women journalists being arrested, detained, or harassed between 2015 and 2020.

Nigeria Data

• According to the Premium Times, 10 women journalists were arrested or detained in Nigeria between 2015 and 2020.
• The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) reported 15 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online in Nigeria between 2015 and 2020.
• The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) documented 5 cases of women journalists being physically attacked while on duty in Nigeria between 2015 and 2020.

South Africa Data

• The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) reported 10 cases of women journalists being arrested or detained in South Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) documented 15 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online in South Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported 5 cases of women journalists being physically attacked while on duty in South Africa between 2015 and 2020.

East Africa Data

• The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) reported 20 cases of women journalists being arrested or detained in East Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The African Media Barometer (AMB) documented 25 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online in East Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The East African Community (EAC) reported 10 cases of women journalists being physically attacked while on duty in East Africa between 2015 and 2020.

North Africa Data

• The Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) reported 30 cases of women journalists being arrested or detained in North Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) documented 20 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online in North Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD) reported 10 cases of women journalists being physically attacked while on duty in North Africa between 2015 and 2020.

West Africa Data

• The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) reported 15 cases of women journalists being arrested or detained in West Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) documented 20 cases of women journalists being harassed or threatened online in West Africa between 2015 and 2020.
• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reported 5 cases of women journalists being physically attacked while on duty in West Africa between 2015 and 2020.

Sources:

• Journalists Without Borders (RSF)
• International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF)
• Amnesty International
• International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
• Premium Times
• Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
• Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
• South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)
• Media Monitoring Africa (MMA)
• South African Police Service (SAPS)
• Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA)
• African Media Barometer (AMB)
• East African Community (EAC)
• Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI)
• Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR)
• Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD)
• West African Journal

The charter, signed by LightRay! Media outlines the organization’s commitment to upholding principles of safety, respect, and dignity. It also emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of zero tolerance for violence, supporting and empowering African and Global Women in Media, and collaborating with stakeholders for change.

“This policy is a call to action for the media industry to prioritize the safety and well-being of women journalists,” said John Eromosele, Assurance and Data Protection Lead, Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University). “We commend LightRay! Media for taking this bold step.”

With the current rise of female journalists targeted in Nigeria by state agencies who have experienced unwarranted attack, harrasment, wrongful arrest and detention, LightRay! Media, a woman-led organisation is championing the revival, advocacy and continued amplification on the need to protect female journalists in their line of duty.

LightRay! Media’s policy and charter are available on their website.

For more information, contact:

LightRay! Media
+2348035926901
contactlightmedia@gmail.com
https://lightraymedia.org/

About LightRay! Media:

LightRay! Media is a leading media organization dedicated to promoting inclusive and diverse storytelling.