India, May 1 -- Reports of online violence against women journalists have doubled since 2020, with serious impacts on their health and well-being, according to a study published ahead of World Press Freedom Day marked annually on 3 May.

The report by UN Women and partners highlights how online violence targeting women in public life is increasingly becoming more technologically sophisticated, invasive and damaging in the artificial intelligence (AI) era.

"AI is making abuse easier and more damaging, and this is fueling the erosion of hard-won rights in a context marked by democratic backsliding and networked misogyny," said Kalliopi Mingerou, who leads the agency's team working to end violence against women.

Tipping point: Online viole...