This report describes and analyses how online propaganda against journalists across the world - through hate, harassment, threats and fabricated news – undermines independent reporting, sows doubt among the public and makes journalists, in particular female journalists, openfor online attacks and physical abuse to the detriment of freedom of expression and open, democratic societies.

To stem the tidal wave of mostly anonymous online propaganda against journalists, in particularly female journalists across the world who are exposed to unacceptable amounts of online sexual abuse, Fojo Media Institute, the publisher of this report, plans to set up #journodefender, a global hub to monitor, investigate and take action against the-ends- justifies-the-means trolling with particular focus on assisting journalism in countries that are particularly badly affected.

Fojo Media Institute has, since 1972, built capacity for 50,000 journalists from more than 100 countries and supported the establishment of journalism training institutions and media centres in a large number of countries.

Fojo Media Institute is presently active in Sweden and around 20 countries in Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, South Asia and South East Asia.