STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA REPORT 2021 24 online, that the internet has become to be known for. colleagues and audiences) in public debate. ICT enabled gender based violence is set, in the long run, to hamper the achievement of diversity of voices in the public sphere. It impacts negatively on the enjoyment of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. This amounts to an attack on democratic deliberation and media freedom encompassing the public’s right to access information, and it cannot be normalised or tolerated as an inevitable aspect of online discourse, nor contemporary audience-engaged journalism. The lack of aggregated data on online violence in the Southern African region hampers reporting and consequent action in dealing with online violence in each country. Although gender based violence predates the digital age in the region, this article highlights how the mass permeation and adoption of digital media technologies has amplified cases of gender based harassment, stalking, trolling, body shaming, hate speech and so forth. By hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, perpetrators of digitally-enabled harassment and cyberbullying have created a toxic atmosphere on various social media platforms. This kind of harassment has disproportionately targeted female journalists as well as women in the media. The situation was reported to have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic when most people migrated online to access information, education, social services, buying and selling as well as entertainment and socialisation. Findings of this analysis supports UNESCO arguments that within the journalism fraternity, online violence against women journalists is designed to belittle, humiliate, and shame; induce fear, silence and retreat; discredit them professionally, undermining accountability journalism and trust in facts; and chill their active participation (along with that of their sources, (43) As long as this growing phenomenon is not welldocumented in the global South “This amounts to an attack on democratic deliberation and media freedom encompassing the public’s right to access information, and it cannot be normalised or tolerated as an inevitable aspect of online discourse, nor contemporary audience-engaged journalism. including Southern Africa, it is pertinent to note that its impact has a far reaching impact on women in the media furthering digital equality, freedom of expression and civic participation. Further evidence from the eight-country report suggests that existing policy and legislative frameworks have no specific provisions to address these emerging dark forms of participation, while most countries in Southern Africa have outdated interception of communication, cybersecurity and cybercrimes and data protection laws. In rare cases some legal frameworks focus on cyber harassment, stalking, image based abuse and cyberbullying. However, these frameworks exist in silos and do not talk to one another. Finally, it will take combined efforts from various stakeholders to contribute towards the creation of an enabling environment for freedom of expression, privacy, access to information and safety online. In order to change the current situation, it is important to offer some gender-sensitive advice to policy makers, platform companies and law enforcement agencies in order to turn the tide. There is need to promulgate new laws and amend old ones so that they address the necessary and proportionate principles as well as uphold the human rights-based approaches. To improve this situation, the following recommendations are put forth: Governments: States must take measures to ensure the safety of female journalists and media practitioners by addressing gender-specific safety concerns, including sexual and gender based violence, intimidation and harassment. (44) Disseminate information and sensitise the public on the responsible use of the internet. Ensure protection for female journalists and media practitioners in promoting Article 9 of the African Charter. Promote equal participation of women in politics in promoting Article 9 of the Maputo Protocol by ensuring a safe space for women in politics