Industry Voices Support For Court Reporter Threatened With Rape On Social Media
The national and local news media industry has voiced its support for Leeds Live reporter Stephanie Finnegan who was targeted with rape threats and abuse on social media after covering a court case.
Stephanie was targeted on social media after covering the sentencing of Tommy Robinson who was sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to contempt of court and breach of a suspended sentence.
I wonder if Ethan makes rape threats against male reporters and their dads too. pic.twitter.com/wMYfNfOrri
— Stephanie Finnegan (@StephanieFinneg) 30 May 2018
After Stephanie was targeted with abuse on social media, Leeds Live published a detailed explanation of its reporting of the case and senior editorial figures took to Twitter to defend Stephanie’s reporting of the case.
We should applaud this young journalist for doing her job in the face of appalling abuse. Another example of the Wild West social media running amok while politicians want to restrict trained professionals even more. https://t.co/cMj7Sx8ZvH
— David Wooding (@DavidWooding) 30 May 2018
Well done Stephanie – you’ve handled all this brilliantly @leedslivenews https://t.co/u3JYUNhUt6
— Darren Thwaites (@DarrenThwaites) 30 May 2018
The vile abuse @StephanieFinneg is getting for doing her job for @leedslivenews by getting restrictions lifted and then naming and giving the street address of a defendant is beyond belief. Excellent and brave regional journalism throughout, especially dealing with this reaction
— Wayne Ankers (@wayneankers) 29 May 2018
First class journalism by @StephanieFinneg explaining how and why Far Right criminal “Tommy Robinson” was jailed. The abuse she’s suffered shames his supporters and apologists https://t.co/eb89Pgkxum
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) 30 May 2018
Few things have made me pine for the days of pre-social media more than the abuse Stephanie Finnegan has been getting today. Disgraceful.
— Dave Hannant (@DHannant87) 29 May 2018
Proud to call @StephanieFinneg a colleague – and utterly dismayed at some of the responses I’ve seen today. https://t.co/ULmclZhBMX
— Samantha Gildea (@ExSaminer) 29 May 2018
Robinson was jailed after streaming on Facebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court where another trial was taking place.