Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communications
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. James Gilmore
Committee Member
Dr. Erin Ash
Committee Member
Dr. Ashley McKenzie
Abstract
Although offline gender-based violence has been studied for decades, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) remains a prevalent yet underrecognized phenomenon. Journalism is a field in which this form of violence is especially persistent, and women journalists face disproportionate targeting. From cyberbullying and harassment to doxxing and disinformation, TFGBV comes in a myriad of forms, each leaving lasting scars on reporters who already face elevated professional risks. The post-Soviet region is particularly concerning, given its history of repressive regimes and hostile environments for journalism. While technology has expanded the ways for new forms of violence to emerge, these incidents are often not tracked and addressed adequately, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity and trap their targets in a constant state of vulnerability and stress. This study provides the first in-depth exploration of women journalists’ experiences with TFGBV across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Russia – contexts in which gender-based violence and attacks on independent journalism intersect. Drawing on ten semi-structured interviews, the study reveals seven central themes that discuss the complex nature of TFGBV by documenting its various forms, the impact on journalists’ lives and press freedom, and the strategies they utilize to cope with it. The findings illuminate critical gaps in current protections and suggest an urgent need for more responsive, TFGBV-specific strategies and support services.
Recommended Citation
Eshalieva, Kamila, "The Cost Of Her Journalism: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Against Women Journalists In The Former Soviet Union Countries" (2026). All Theses. 4759.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4759
Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0007-7311-2731