From: Inside Story
On World Press Freedom Day, an in-depth discussion on the importance of an open and free media.
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![Philippine journalist Maria Ressa waves to members of the media after attending a court hearing in Manila on July 22, 2020, on charges of tax evasion. - Ressa pleaded not guilty on July 22 to tax evasion, as President Rodrigo Duterte's government faced growing calls to drop all charges against the veteran reporter [File: AFP/Maria Tan]](http://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/000_1VK9EY.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Governments need to take action to protect women journalists from increasing online threats.
![The report studied social media posts including those directed at Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa [File: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez]](http://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/103c5c7f7420431288b39162e65a2594_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Nearly three-quarters of female journalists surveyed experienced online abuse, and a quarter faced physical threats.
![Police attempt to stop journalists from recording footage outside a court in Shanghai during the trial of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan [File: Leo Ramirez/AFP]](http://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/000_8XU4CN.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Reporters Without Borders says repression and attacks on press freedom worldwide increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
