India: Police Launch Probe Following Inappropriate Behavior Toward Woman Journalist
The journalist was repeatedly touched by a politician she tried to interview at a press conference
Location: India, Kerala
Date: October 27, 2023
Unnamed Indian journalist files police complaint against actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, who repeatedly put his hand on her shoulder while making dismissive comments about the journalist at a press conference. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented that women journalists are frequently subjected to harassment and professional misconduct while on assignment. This raises major concerns over the safety and dignity of women in the media sector, and demands urgent attention. We denounce Gopi’s behavior and demand he respect women journalists.
During a meeting with the press in Kozhikode, Kerala, on October 27, politician Suresh Gopi’s behavior toward a woman journalist was captured on camera, causing public outcry.
The video shows the woman journalist posing a question to the politician and Gopi placing his hand on her shoulder while addressing her as "mole" (daughter). Uncomfortable with the gesture, the journalist stepped back. However, when she posed a follow-up question, Gopi repeated the same action, prompting her to push his hand away.
“I couldn’t tolerate it and was distressed, and reacted by pushing his arm away,” explained the journalist. “I was there on duty — to talk to a politician.”
The journalist says she was traumatized by the experience, adding that she knew she had to take action. “Women have been facing this and may face this in the future, too. I had to address it as a woman journalist who has been working for over 15 years.”
In the wake of the controversy, Suresh Gopi issued an apology through Facebook. He claimed that his actions were in an "affectionate manner" and expressed regret if the journalist felt uncomfortable.
The journalist expressed that Gopi's statement appeared more like an "explanation" than an apology. Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) also condemned Gopi's actions, considering them unacceptable and disrespectful to all working women.
In response to complaints from the journalist and the KUWJ, the Kerala Women's Commission requested that the police provide a probe report. A day after the incident, Kerala police opened a sexual harassment investigation into Gopi.
Regrettably, women journalists often encounter harassment and inappropriate behavior while discharging their professional duties. An unfortunate example from earlier in the year involved two journalists covering events organized by the Home Ministry in Malaysia, who faced unwanted advances and harassment by a minister's bodyguard.
In October 2023, CFWIJ documented three separate incidents of sexual harassment involving women journalists in Brazil and Spain. Such behavior directed at women journalists is unequivocally unacceptable; they should neither be disregarded nor harassed because of their gender.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism lauds the journalist for taking action against Suresh Gopi. Instances of this nature must not go unaddressed. We earnestly call upon the Kerala police to conduct a swift and thorough investigation, ensuring the politician is held accountable for his actions.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.