It is a known fact that reporters working on the ground for news outlets have to compete against each other to get that exclusive byte or even visuals while reporting on an event. However, this competition has mostly been healthy and the race for news is only professional. However, all limits were crossed when a male reporter with news agency ANI (Asian News International) slapped and allegedly hurled abuses at a woman journalist from news agency PTI (Press Trust Of India) during a press event of Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Thursday (March 28).
The video of the male reporter slapping the female scribe twice was shared by PTI in a tweet. The incident was strongly condemned by PTI which said that the organisation will take all measures to protect its employees.
According to PTI, the incident took place in Bengaluru at a press incident. It can be seen in the video that a male reporter slaps a female reporter twice after a heated argument.
Shocked by the male reporters' action, people around confronted the reporter and stopped him while the female reporter stood shell shocked.
The video clip of the incident showed a heated verbal exchange between the two reporters on the stage following which the ANI reporter physically assaulted the PTI reporter.
The female reporter's colleague Thoyajakshi Shekar posted a tweet alleging the ANI reporter had abused the same reporter at “several instances” because she hails from Kerala and “does not understand Kannada language. This has now reached an extreme level.”
“This extreme level of abuse and hatred this particular ANI reporter has towards their so-called rivals PTI has to be stopped,” she added.
Female reporter traumatised, FIR being lodged: PTI
"An FIR is being lodged over the shocking incident, which has left the reporter traumatised. PTI will also file a complaint with the National Commission for Women," said PTI in its statement on X.
Reporter suspended pending investigation: ANI issues statement
Naveen Kapoor, senior journalist of ANI, issued the company's statement on X and shared pictures of scars on their reporter's face which he claimed was inflicted upon by the PTI journalist first. He informed that his company's reporter has been suspended till the investigation process is not completed. "ANI does not in any manner condone or approve of violence by journalists in the field. This post is selective and seeks to supress the first attack by the PTI journalist as per what our reporter tells us. Our reporter is also filing a First Information Report in relation to the unprovoked attack on him. We trust the legal process to take its course and disclose the complete facts. However, till the investigation process is not completed, the ANI reporter has been suspended."
Reactions on the incident
Actor-turned-politician (BJP) and National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar reacted on the incident and demanded immediate action against the male reporter. "I vehemently condemn the behavior of the male journalist who is seen physically and verbally abusing the PTI female journalist in Bengaluru today. Want @smitaprakash to take action immediately," she said in her tweet.
National president of the All-India Mahila Congress Alka Lamba also took note of the incident and demanded the editor of ANI to immediately expel the journalist who behaved violently.
