UPDATE (7 September 2024): The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) welcomes the decision by the Washington-based Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) to withdraw the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Award (HRRFJA) in photojournalism to Umar Altaf Para on account of several allegations of gross misconduct and sexual harassment.
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The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) is appalled to learn that Umar Altaf Para has been awarded the prestigious ‘Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Awards’ (HRRFJA) by the Washington-based Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) which advocates on issues of human rights and religious freedom.
Members of the network are privy to four cases wherein Para has committed gross misconduct and harassed women in the profession under the guise of being a journalist seeking help for stories. The accounts indicate a pattern of inappropriate and egregious behaviour. Women who rejected his advances have faced persistent harassment in the form of phone and video calls and/or received unsolicited obscene photos despite promptly and clearly objecting to such behaviour. There are also allegations that he has made unwanted sexual advances to women reporters during work trips.
The pattern of harassment evidently extends beyond professional acquaintances and settings, with one instance involving a researcher who was cyberflashed – sent unsolicited nudes – after following him on Instagram. Another woman, who encountered Para at a protest site in Delhi in 2019, has said she was harassed through calls, texts and video calls even after explicitly refusing his advances. According to her, he used work as a pretext to engage in inappropriate and compulsive behaviour.
In February 2023, in another case involving a woman journalist, Para made personal remarks about her appearance in a social media post. He then went on to send her an unsolicited semi-clad image of himself, followed by several unwelcome messages and even phone calls. NWMI has received screenshots that verify the incident.
In a fourth case, Para approached a journalist for a freelance project and started calling, texting and at times video calling her. While discussing a gig, he said she might have to share a room due to a shortage of accommodation. After learning from others about the extent of his misconduct, and continuing to receive unwanted messages and calls, she blocked him. According to her, he had opted for disappearing messages on WhatsApp, presumably to avoid leaving any trail of evidence.
There is a clear pattern here of a male journalist using the pretext of professional collaboration to sexually harass female journalists as well as other women. He must be held accountable for his actions. Awards and accolades cannot whitewash such predatory behaviour. The culture of impunity around sexual harassment in and around workplaces must end. Women journalists deserve to work in an environment free of harassment and intimidation, especially by their own male counterparts.
The organising committee of the HRRFJ Awards has released a statement saying they are conducting an internal inquiry into the multiple allegations they have received about serious misconduct by one of their 2024 awardees. The NWMI welcomes this move and urges the organisers to thoroughly investigate these claims and take decisive action in a time-bound manner.
Survivors of abuse by Umar Altaf Para and anyone with knowledge of his misconduct may report the same to contact@hrrfjawards.com with testimonies and evidence to aid the inquiry.
The NWMI stands in solidarity with the women who have faced harassment from Umar Altaf Para. We continue to advocate for the right to safety, dignity and respect of women in the media, and remain committed to holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions as well as inaction.
The Network of Women in Media, India
29 August 2024
