‘Woke’/undermining traditional values

This narrative has been adopted by disinformation purveyors and adapted to the specific context of each country:

Narrative: Tschinderle has been portrayed in Hungarian pro-government media as an “amateur journalist,” with the implication that her work lacks professionalism and objectivity. This type of attack often carries a gendered undertone, suggesting that as a woman, she is not capable of serious journalism. Also, while direct LGBTQIA+ accusations may not be as explicit in her case as in others, Tschinderle is repeatedly linked to “liberal”, European values that are often associated with the promotion of LGBTQIA+ rights in the context of Hungarian populist and right-wing rhetoric.

Narrative: Marincea has faced brutal misogynistic attacks, with derogatory and dehumanizing language aimed at her. She has been called derogatory names like “Slut” and “Sow,” (a female pig) which are meant to demean her as a woman and undermine her credibility. Extremist groups in Romania accuse her of being an “anti-Romanian” force, with claims that she is working to undermine Romanian national identity by supporting liberal causes, including LGBTQIA+ rights.

Narrative: Some female journalists at Maldita are frequently subjected to sexist insults and threats. The rhetoric often includes threats of sexual violence or demeaning sexual comments, which are meant to intimidate and silence them.