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I did not speak publicly about this case while it was ongoing, but James Goddard has now been convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour towards me
He targeted me at a court hearing over his abuse of Anna Soubry at pro-Brexit 'Yellow Vest' protests https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/james-goddard-court-independent-journalist-b1762683.html
He targeted me at a court hearing over his abuse of Anna Soubry at pro-Brexit 'Yellow Vest' protests https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/james-goddard-court-independent-journalist-b1762683.html
The judge ordered him to pay £780 in fines and costs, and imposed an indefinite restraining order banning Goddard from contacting me
He heckled me while I was giving evidence and there were a number of his supporters in the court, and far-right protesters outside Wimbledon Mags
He heckled me while I was giving evidence and there were a number of his supporters in the court, and far-right protesters outside Wimbledon Mags
I have no issue with the defence barrister, who was only doing his job, but some of his arguments reflect common claims I’ve seen undermining the seriousness of abuse and threats against journalists
He suggested Goddard's response was part of expected "give and take" in my work
He suggested Goddard's response was part of expected "give and take" in my work
It's not "give and take" to be harassed and intimidated in a court for trying to report on proceedings, or to get the kind of tweets and messages I have been bombarded with by far-right extremists for years
This shouldn't be "part of the job" for anyone https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/journalist-abuse-far-right-court-james-goddard-b1762829.html
This shouldn't be "part of the job" for anyone https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/journalist-abuse-far-right-court-james-goddard-b1762829.html
This incident was the first real-world abuse I have experienced after years of online abuse and threats
As this research shows, online attacks on female journalists are "increasingly spilling offline" into violence https://www.icfj.org/news/online-attacks-women-journalists-leading-real-world-violence-new-research-shows
As this research shows, online attacks on female journalists are "increasingly spilling offline" into violence https://www.icfj.org/news/online-attacks-women-journalists-leading-real-world-violence-new-research-shows
None of the crimes I have previously reported, including doxxing, harassment and serious threats, have resulted in formal action
I've been told that I am classed as a "public figure", so the threshold for criminal investigation is higher than for other members of the public
I've been told that I am classed as a "public figure", so the threshold for criminal investigation is higher than for other members of the public
There is clearly a link between online and offline harassment but the former is too often dismissed, and social media companies are often useless
It needs to be taken much more seriously, this must never become "part of the job" for journalists
It needs to be taken much more seriously, this must never become "part of the job" for journalists
