Hyderabad: Sajjanar promises strict action after women journalists flag online threats

Women journalists in Hyderabad complained of ongoing online abuse, threats and defamatory videos from coordinated social media groups. After reviewing the evidence, Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar assured strict action, a detailed enquiry, and protection for those facing threats

Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar on Tuesday assured strict action against miscreants after a group of women journalists lodged a complaint alleging continuous online trolling, harassment, intimidation, life threats and sexually derogatory abuse on social media.

In their complaint, the journalists said they have been facing a ‘deeply troubling pattern’ of online harassment and life threats. They stated that certain social media handles and organised groups, acting with malicious intent, have been targeting women journalists with vulgar abuse, life-threatening remarks, defamatory posts and derogatory videos.

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The complainants said the trolling appears coordinated and aimed at creating fear among women journalists and obstructing their professional duties. They also pointed out that several of these handles routinely circulate hate-filled, divisive and religiously charged content.

The journalists requested the Commissioner to order a detailed enquiry into the handles and individuals involved, initiate action, and provide protection online and physical if required, to those facing threats. The delegation played several troll videos before the Commissioner to show the nature of the harassment.

“We will take action. You will see the steps we initiate. I will speak further after action is taken,” Sajjanar told the journalists, assuring them that legal measures would follow.