This dissertation analyses how systemic misogyny existing in the real world transcends into the online world and contributes to abusive attacks including sexualised comments and threats against women in general and women journalists
in particular on social media platforms. It explores how new media and the resultant online culture have led to the proliferation of abusive behaviour online, providing a
virtual breeding ground for cultural misogyny. It then looks at how online abuse—a manifestation of online misogyny—is used to attack women journalists who are doubly targeted because of their gender and profession. Using India as a case study, this essay also presents some first-hand comments from women journalists about their experiences of online abuse, as gained via an online survey. Ultimately, it situates the attempts to intimidate women journalists through sexually violent comments or threats within the broader context of gender equality and press freedom.