Women journalists’ tireless commitment to shape free media
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, IPI is proud to celebrate some of the remarkable women media leaders from our global network.
From our first female member to the courageous collective of journalists, innovators and media leaders we are honoured to include in our network today, these women have shaped the face of journalism and free media globally.
We honour their innovative reporting, their tireless commitment to press freedom, and their example of leadership in challenging times for independent media worldwide
As we celebrate IPI’s 75th anniversary this year, we are proud to count these women – both past and present – as members of the IPI global network.
Oveta Culp Hobby
A founding member of IPI
In October 1950, in the aftermath of the Second World War, 34 leading editors from 16 countries gathered at Columbia University in New York City. United in the conviction that a free media would contribute to a better and more peaceful world, they agreed to form a global organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting press freedom and improving the practices of journalism.
The International Press Institute was born.
One woman stood among these 34 editors: Oveta Culp Hobby. A pioneering journalist, publisher and public servant, Hobby’s presence at IPI’s founding was no coincidence – it was a testament to her lifelong commitment to public service, intellectual curiosity and democratic values.
As the publisher and executive vice president of the Houston Post at the time, she brought to IPI not only her expertise in journalism but also her deep belief in the role of an independent press in fostering accountability and progress.
Hobby’s legacy extends far beyond IPI. She was the first director of the Women’s Army Corps during World War 2, the first secretary of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and a trailblazer for women in leadership.
Her career was defined by courage, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to public service. As we honor IPI’s founding vision, we also celebrate Hobby’s role in shaping its mission – ensuring that the fight for press freedom would always include the voices and leadership of women.
Current Members Spotlight:
Georgia
Her distinguished career as a journalist and media manager spans over 24 years. Batumelebi, the outlet she founded in 2001, was shortlisted for the IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award for its dedication to independent quality journalism.
Despite facing attacks, threats, blackmail, and detentions, Batumelebi has maintained its independence and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving local communities through courageous public service journalism.
In 2009, under Mzia’s leadership, it expanded by launching Netgazeti, a Tbilisi-based national news platform.
Throughout her career, Mzia has shown exemplary bravery and a steadfast commitment to defending democratic values, press freedom, and journalists’ rights.
Since her arrest in early January 2025, Mzia has been held unjustly in pre-trial detention. IPI launched a campaign calling for Mzia’s release which you can sign here.
Italy
She is an award-winning investigative journalist and editorial director at Investigate Europe, where she leads groundbreaking cross-border reporting to uncover the important stories and unseen forces shaping the continent today.
A co-founder of the Investigative Reporting Project Italy and part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Panama Papers team, her reporting has exposed corruption, corporate misconduct, cybercrime and criminal syndicates.
Previously a co-ordinating editor at Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), she led award-winning investigations into the tobacco industry. From Italy to Japan, her work has challenged power, uncovered hidden truths and strengthened independent journalism globally.
Slovenia
She is an investigative journalist and Balkans regional editor for the OCCRP, and the founder and Editor in Chief of Oštro, a dual-hub pioneering investigative journalism centre in Slovenia and Croatia.
Anuška is a proud IPI member, leading cross-border investigations that expose corruption, extremism, and abuses of power.
Under her leadership, Oštro has become a driving force for watchdog journalism in the Adriatic region, tackling critical issues and developing the next generations of investigative reporters.
Anuška continues to push for greater transparency and accountability, strengthening independent media in one of Europe’s most complex political landscapes.
Egypt
She is an exiled Egyptian journalist and human rights advocate whose work has exposed political repression, human rights violations, and the realities of displacement across the Middle East and North Africa.
A former political prisoner, having been imprisoned in Egypt for nearly two years for her reporting, she has remained unwavering in her commitment to press freedom, using multimedia storytelling to amplify the voices of marginalised communities across the region.
Today, she leads an independent video podcast and reporting initiative documenting the lived experiences of migrants and refugees.
The project delves into the emotional, social and psychological dimensions of displacement, with a focus on resilience and survival, particularly through the lens of motherhood.
Germany
She is the director of CORRECTIV.Europe, a member of the IPI German National Committee, and a leading voice for press freedom and media collaboration.
With 18 years of experience in media development, Joanna has led major initiatives supporting investigative journalism and independent newsrooms.
Previously, she served as Deputy Director at the German Marshall Fund of the US East, President of the Leading European Newspaper Alliance, and head of partnerships at Gazeta Wyborcza, where, as President of its foundation, she co-founded the Ukrainian Media Fund.
As a member of the IPI global network, Joanna remains deeply committed to strengthening public interest media and defending democracy against disinformation and political threats.
India
She is an independent documentary filmmaker and television producer committed to telling stories that challenge gender inequality by amplifying women’s voices and perspectives.
As co-CEO of Chambal Media, home to Khabar Lahariya, an independent feminist media organisation and proud IPI member, she leads efforts to support women journalists and challenge entrenched gender narratives.
Over the past 15 years, her films – Coral Woman, Survey Number Zero, City Girls, and My Sacred Glass Bowl – have captivated global audiences and earned acclaim for their nuanced, impactful storytelling.
A Canon Cinema EOS ambassador and an INLAKS fellow, Priya has co-directed the IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival and remains dedicated to building independent, women-led media spaces.
Nigeria
She is a professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of Lagos (Unilag), a trailblazer in academia and a leading voice in media development and strategic communication in Nigeria.
As the first woman and first alumna to lead the Unilag Department of Mass Communication, she has played a historic role in shaping media and communication studies in the country, ensuring that journalism education evolves to meet today’s challenges.
With more than 30 years of experience, Abigail has advised major projects, trained journalists and consulted for multilateral organisations. A long-time editorial board member for The Guardian and other major publications, she is also Deputy President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.
As founder of the Media Action & Development Foundation and a respected member of the IPI Nigerian National Committee, she continues to push for a more inclusive, impactful press through her teaching, research, and mentorship.
Brazil
She is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of InfoAmazonia, an independent media outlet using geo-mapping data and geolocalised reporting to uncover environmental and social issues across the endangered Amazon region.
A specialist in audiovisual production and geospatial data visualisation, she is at the forefront of innovation in environmental journalism.
At the 2024 IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival, Juliana highlighted the importance of financial sustainability in investigative reporting, emphasising that collaboration – not competition – is key to strengthening independent media.
Under her leadership, InfoAmazonia continues to push the boundaries of data-driven storytelling while building networks that enhance the impact and resilience of journalism in the region.
Jordan
She is a pioneering journalist and media leader, serving as Deputy Manager and COO of the Community Media Network and Manager of Radio Al Balad, Jordan’s first Internet-based community radio station.
One of the few women to head a broadcast outlet in the country, she has dedicated her career to empowering women in journalism through training, mentorship and financial support.
In 2020, Etaf received the Women in News Editorial Leadership Award for her impact in the Arab region. From 2021 to 2024, she served on the IPI Executive Board, and today, as restrictions on independent media tighten in Jordan, Etaf remains a vocal defender of journalists facing censorship, legal pressures, and increasing state control.
Ecuador
She is the co-founder and Editorial Director of GK, where she leads both editorial direction and sustainability strategy for one of Ecuador’s leading independent media outlets.
Her reporting focuses on gender rights, minority communities and the environment, with in-depth investigations into the realities of Ecuador’s most overlooked regions.
Beyond her reporting, Isabela has been instrumental in building GK’s financial model, helping the outlet navigate a challenging media landscape to ensure its long-term sustainability. Through her work and leadership, she continues to strengthen independent journalism in the region.
Sri Lanka
She is Deputy Editor of Himal Southasian, South Asia’s first and only regional magazine of politics and culture where she works closely with contributors to produce in-depth stories that challenge nationalist narratives and amplify regional voices.
Raisa also curates Southasia Weekly, a regional news round-up, and has edited a number of articles including on the fight to decriminalise same-sex relationships in Sri Lanka, and the impact of anti-conversion laws in India.
Her editorial leadership ensures Himal continues its 35-year tradition of fearless, independent journalism in a region where cross-border dialogue among media remains rare but essential.
Ecuador
She is a journalist with a sharp focus on Ecuador’s organised crime and corruption, fearlessly reporting on political disappearances and security issues.
In January 2024, she was among the hostages taken when armed gunmen stormed TC Televisión during a live broadcast – a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in regions of escalating violence.
A year later, Alina was honored with the National Eugenio Espejo Award, one of Ecuador’s top journalism prizes, for her investigation with Connectas, which uncovered ties between public contracts and criminal networks.
With more than 20 years in the field, she has reported for international media while also shaping the next generation of journalists as a professor in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Resources for women in media
IPI has developed and gathered a wide range of resources for and by women in media, not only to support them in navigating the unique challenges they face but also to highlight and celebrate the successes of women leading in the industry.
➜ Learn
Women journalists are disproportionately targeted by online abuse and disinformation campaigns. IPI provides research, resources and training to help journalists push back:
- IPI’s OnTheLine project tracks the gendered nature of online harassment, showing that women journalists face more frequent and vicious abuse. It also provides resources to support those facing digital attacks.
- The Observatory of Disinformation Narratives documents how disinformation is weaponised against women in media. Journalists like Franziska Tschinderle, Adina Marincea, and Monika Tódová have been targeted with smear campaigns, AI-generated content, and state-backed attacks aimed at discrediting their work.
- IPI offers trainings and newsroom support to help journalists and media organizations build resilience against online abuse. You can learn more about our offerings here.
Women-led media outlets are rethinking sustainability for their newsrooms and building stronger connections with the communities they serve. These case studies highlight how women are leading the way in media innovation:
- BehanBox is transforming Indian media through a gender lens
- Lazy Women is a community-driven platform building a community that embraces the diversity of womanhood
- Khabar Lahariya offers hyper-local watchdog journalism with a feminist lens
- Sojka.io, an online magazine created by a group of experienced journalists for a young Belarusian audience, connects with its audience on Instagram
- The News Minute brings a feminist perspective to coverage on everything from child rights to politics and pop culture
- Karakaya Talks is a Berlin-based news organisation that produces video content for Gen Zs and millennials of colour in Germany
From online harassment to media innovation, these videos and documentaries explore the challenges and successes of women in journalism today:
- A Dark Place. This documentary, directed by IPI and produced by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, features first-hand accounts by leading women journalists facing online violence
- The Safety of Female Journalists Online (SOFJO) video, part of the OSCE’s #SOFJO campaign, highlights the urgent need to combat online threats, harassment and intimidation targeting women journalists
- The OnTheLine interview series features conversations with journalists and media experts on the impact of online abuse and strategies to combat it
- Voices Against Online Harassment is a series of interviews with journalists and media experts on their experience of coping with threats and harassment on the web
- ‘Bursting Bubbles: Feminist Media Innovate to Reach Wider Audiences’ is a recording of a panel discussion from the 2024 IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival in Sarajevo exploring how feminist and inclusive media models are being built and scaled in Kenya, Nepal, Brazil, Serbia and El Salvador
Beyond IPI, partner organisations are also providing essential resources to support women in journalism. From mentorship and funding to training and safety resources, these platforms equip women journalists with the support, connections and opportunities they need to thrive.
- Resources for Women Journalists by the GIJN is a go-to guide for networks, grants and fellowships, mentorship and strategies to navigate challenges like harassment and discrimination
- The International Women’s Media Foundation runs programmes and grants to empower women and non-binary journalists with the training, opportunities and support to become leaders in the news industry. You can check out all the opportunities here
- This article was first published here
- Since 1950, IPI has defended press freedom around the globe, while fostering quality journalism as a public good
