Outcry in Spain after man seems to grope reporter reside on air
n outcry has been sparked throughout Spain after a person appeared to sexually assault a journalist reside on digital camera whereas she was working.
Isa Balado, a journalist with the broadcaster Cuatro, was reporting on a theft in central Madrid on Tuesday when she was approached by a person who appeared to the touch her backside.
He then interrupted her report back to ask her what channel she labored for.
Spanish police have since arrested a person on suspicion of sexual assault, whereas ministers have additionally known as for the perpetrator to be apprehended and punished.
Ms Balado tried to proceed her report however was requested by the programme’s host in disbelief whether or not the person had touched her reside on air.
“Isa, forgive me for interrupting you… however did he simply contact your backside?” Nacho Abad asked.
He then told her to put the “idiot” on camera, who appeared smiling and laughing.
Ms Balado challenged the man, saying: “As much as you want to ask what channel we are from, do you really have to touch my bottom? I’m doing a live show and I’m working.”
The man then denied touching her, and attempted to tickle her head as he walked away.
In a statement, Mediaset Espana, which owns the news channel, offered its support to Ms Balado, condemning the “absolutely intolerable situation”, adding that it “categorically repudiates any form of harassment or aggression”.
Spain’s Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz also spoke out over the incident, saying it should not go unpunished.
She wrote on Twitter: “It is machismo that makes journalists suffer sexual assaults like this, and the aggressors are unrepentant in front of the camera.”
Footage of the incident has been widely viewed in Spain, where it has been shared with the social media hashtag #SeAcabó, meaning “it’s over”.
The phrase has been broadly used within the aftermath of the furore of Luis Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss of a player Jenni Hermoso at last month’s Women’s World Cup medal ceremony which has led to a nationwide debate over sexism.
The row finally led to Rubiales’ resignation and a summons to courtroom over accusations of sexual assault and coercion.