The Network of Women in Media, India, (NWMI) is shocked and angry at the alleged gangrape of a woman journalist and the assault on her male colleague in the evening of August 22, 2013 while they were on assignment for a print publication near the Shakti Mills compound at Mahalaxmi in Central Mumbai.
The two journalists were accosted and intimidated by a few people who demanded to see their authorisation for shooting in the area. They took the woman journalist aside on the pretext of securing the authorisation for her, tied up her colleague and allegedly gangraped her. In all, five persons perpetrated the attack, according to preliminary reports. The woman journalist showed great presence of mind in freeing herself and also managed to free her colleague and the two then sought to file a complaint with the NM Joshi Marg police station. They are being treated at Jaslok Hospital now for multiple injuries.
The incident is a grim reminder of the deteriorating state of safety for women across the country, as well as the lack of security for mediaprofessionals, especially women media professionals. The harassment of women professionals in the media is on the rise and, along with workplace related harassment, journalists also have had to contend with anti-women prejudices and biased reactions from employers as well as law enforcement officers.
The Network of Women in Media, India extends all support and solidarity to the journalist who were assaulted. The NWMI also cautions its colleagues in the media to report on the incident responsibly and sensitively, without providing unnecessary details that provide markers to the identity of the journalists involved.
The NWMI demands that the police conduct a speedy investigation into the gangrape and assault and ensure that justice is delivered without delay. The NWMI also urges media employers to desist from introducing restrictions on work assignments for women journalists and instead ensure the safety and security of their staff.
- Geeta Seshu, Mumbai
- Jyoti Punwani, Mumbai
- Kalpana Sharma, Mumbai
- Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Mumbai
- Madhavi Rajadhyaksha, Mumbai
- Meena Menon, Mumbai/Islamabad
- Ramlath Kavil, Mumbai
- Sameera Khan, Mumbai
- Sandhya Srinivasan, Mumbai
- Sharmila Joshi, Mumbai
- Binita Parikh, Ahmedabad
- Rupa Mehta, Ahmedabad
- Tanushree Gangopadhyay, Ahmedabad
- Ammu Joseph, Bangalore
- Gita Aravamudan, Bangalore
- Laxmi Murthy, Bangalore
- Pushpa Achanta, Bangalore
- Shree DN, Bangalore
- Susheela Nair, Bangalore
- Kavin Malar, Chennai
- Kavitha Muralidharan, Chennai
- Lakshmy Venkiteswaran, Chennai
- Nithila Kanagasabai, Chennai
- Aditi Bhaduri, Delhi/Kolkata
- Teresa Rehman, Guwahati
- Padmaja Shaw, Hyderabad
- R Akhileshwari, Hyderabad
- Satyavati Kondaveeti, Hyderabad
- Renu Ramanath, Kochi
- Rajashri Dasgupta, Kolkata
- Ranjita Biswas, Kolkata
- Rina Mukherjee, Kolkata
- Aaparna Degaonkar, Pune
- Jayashree Bokil, Pune
- Kaumudi, Pune
- Manaswini Prabhune, Pune
- Megha Shimpi, Pune
- Namrata Phadnis, Pune
- Prachi Bari, Pune
- Sandhya Taksale, Pune
- Savita Gopalan, Pune
- Shubhada Chandrachud, Pune
- Sushma Neharkar, Pune
- Swati Jarande, Pune
- K A Beena, Thiruvananthapuram
and others
on behalf of
Network of Women in Media, India
