A Tamil news channel, Thanthi TV, is facing severe backlash on social media following an incident where their reporters engaged in ‘pub shaming’ of police women outside a Chennai pub. This involved chasing them, forcefully capturing videos, and making inappropriate comments, as reported by ‘The News Minute.’ Even renowned playback singer Chinmayi Sripada, among other internet users, expressed shock and disapproval at the channel’s seemingly ‘misogynistic’ actions.
The incident unfolded on November 19 during the India-Australia World Cup 2023 final when an unsettling occurrence transpired outside a Chennai pub operating beyond curfew hours. Police and various local news channels, including Thanthi TV, intervened to shut down the establishment. In their coverage, Thanthi TV’s cameras repeatedly focused on women’s faces and attire despite their evident discomfort. Even those leaving the premises were persistently followed for close-up shots. Many women tried to shield their identities with scarves, masks, and dupattas, but the channel’s cameraman continued attempting to expose them.
One woman even confronted the cameraperson, threatening to file a police complaint for a breach of privacy. In response, he rudely challenged her to do so.
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Thus, the biased focus on women, coupled with little or no coverage of men, drew massive social media criticism. “These media channels understand no concept of privacy or consent when covering such events, especially concerning women or the marginalized,” commented one user on the micro-blogging site ‘X.’ Another lamented, “No morals worst journalism. it’s the organisers fault for exceeding the time limit, why are you chasing people who are trying to cover their faces and go away? why couldn’t you show the organizer or the name of the place?,” lamented another.
These media channels understand no concept of privacy or consent when covering such events, especially concerning women or the marginalized.I hope the @MIB_India takes stock of this and fines this channel.
They do not have a right to hound these women. #ThanthiTV #Tamilnadu
— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) November 20, 2023
no morals worst journalism. its the organisers fault for exceeding the time limit, why are you chasing people who are trying to cover their faces and go away? why couldn’t you show the organizer or the name of the place?— paapa (@monislost) November 20, 2023
“Thanthi TV’s employees going after women doing nothing except – have some alcohol – as if they were busting some group of rapists showcases everything that is wrong with society today,” criticised ‘Titli’ singer Sripada.
Thanthi TV’s employees going after women doing nothing except – have some alcohol – as if they were busting some group of rapists showcases everything that is wrong with society today.The problem is that the pub was open beyond specified hours – but the owner of the pub, nor… https://t.co/dq3XGrFuzT
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 20, 2023
While Thanthi TV deleted the post containing the disturbing footage, internet backlash continued, with users giving the news channel a resounding thumbs down.
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Meanwhile, according to Saidapet police, responsible for the pub’s jurisdiction, the venue operated beyond 11:30 pm on Sunday. “Upon receiving a complaint at around midnight, we reached the pub. They didn’t open the door for ten minutes. Later the place was cleared and a report was filed in the J1 Saidapet police station,” confirmed a police official. The police also mentioned that news channels, including Sun TV, Jaya TV, and Thanthi TV, were already present at the premises when the inspection occurred.
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