The safety of award-winning journalist Swati Chaturvedi is at risk after online death and rape threats escalate to a dead cat left on her doorstep.

The widespread hate campaign against journalists of color escalated on Monday with two more women journalists receiving threatening and abusive emails. At least 17 journalists were targeted after right-wing politician Maxime Bernier tweeted a provocative message inciting his supporters. Freelance sports journalist Shireen Ahmed and CBC host Angela Sterritt were the latest targets of the ongoing hate campaign, weaponized racist and misogynistic language to threaten, intimidate and silence journalists of color. Maxime’s tweet has since been deleted but the organised campaign against journalists has continued unabated, with many of the vile emails sent from the same email account.

At least 18 journalists received vile emails after right-wing politician Maxime Bernier tweeted a provocative message to his followers. Displeased by their coverage of his work, and their line of inquiry, Bernier encouraged his supporters to “play dirty”, thus initiating a violent targeted harassment campaign. He even went so far as to publish the email addresses of some of the journalists online, making them vulnerable to online abuse. Although later taken down by Twitter, the journalists faced hostile digital attacks as a result of his tweets.

At least eight women journalists received vile emails after right-wing politician Maxime Bernier tweeted a provocative message to his followers. Displeased by their coverage of his work, and their line of inquiry, Bernier encouraged his supporters to “play dirty”, thus initiating a violent targeted harassment campaign. He even went so far as to publish the email addresses of some of the journalists online, making them vulnerable to online abuse. Although later taken down by Twitter, the journalists faced hostile digital attacks as a result of his tweets.

Journalist Christy Somos received vile emails after politician Maxime Bernier tweeted out her email addresses alongside several of her colleagues. Displeased by their coverage of his work, and their line of inquiry, Bernier encouraged his supporters to “play dirty”, thus initiating a violent targeted harassment campaign against the journalists. Although later taken down, the journalists faced hostile digital attacks as a result of his statement.

Journalist Farnaz Fasihi has been on the receiving end of deeply gendered and misogynistic online attacks by Iranian trolls for over several months. Fasihi covers Iran for The New York Times and the nature of her work has made her extremely vulnerable to digital harassment. In response, The New York Times published a statement reasserting their support for their journalist, while Fasihi’s colleagues also came out in solidarity with her.

Chief reporter for the Mail in Barrow, Amy Fenton was put under police protection after repeated threats targeting her and her daughter. Over the past few months Amy had received rape and death threats in person as well as online due to the nature of her work. The situation has continually gotten worse, raising serious concerns regarding her and her family's safety.