Update
December 28: We've formally requested apologies from Thanthi TV and Polimer News for their misogynistic reporting via letters to their Editors in Chief, but we've not received any response from them yet.
November 24: An FIR has been registered by Chennai Police in the matter based on the complaint of a woman, who was chased and harassed by the reporters, and a couple, who were present at the pub that night. The police have also invoked the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act (TNPWH) against the accused persons.
On Sunday, November 19, Thanthi TV aired a video report that repeatedly zoomed on women’s faces and bodies, shaming them for their clothing and drinking at a pub in Chennai. This was done without the women’s consent.
You may be wondering why this happened. Investigation has revealed that the incident transpired after a group of inebriated men were denied entry by the pub staff as they had arrived near the closing time. Enraged at this, they started a fight. When the pub management called the police, the men called a contact in the media. The Tamil news channels, namely Thanthi TV and Polimer amongst others (Sun TV and Jaya TV), then started morally shaming and policing the women pub-goers.
This invasive method of reporting is a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights under Article 14, Article 15, and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
There has been public outrage about the lack of journalistic ethics and moral codes of conduct of Thanthi TV and Polimer’s reporting. We are disturbed by the two channels’ misogynistic ways of reporting, which was undertaken without regard for consent or privacy. It also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines women's agency in public spaces
Thanthi TV also posted recorded videos of women who were exiting the bar, on the next morning of November 20, on X (formerly Twitter) stating that an “all-night alcohol party was busted by the police,'' while also problematically adding how “half-dressed women ran out during the incident”. [1]
Many women were followed for close-up shots with cameras with the aim of exposing their identities. One woman who told a cameraperson that she would lodge a police complaint received a rude reply from the reporter, challenging her to do it.
The moral policing of the women was also posted on Thanthi TV’s YouTube channel, where the caption said “Chennai Pub-il Manmatha Koothu, Raid-il sikkiya Kilukilu Paravaigal - Moonjai Moodi kondu therithu ootta- Kathariya Thidir couples.” Even with a rough translation, the caption implies that “the interactions between the men and women at the pub were entirely sexual.” [1] The usage of sexist terms like “manmatha koothu” and “kilukilu paravaigal” further shames and objectifies the people at the pub. Polimer, another channel present at the pub premises, posted similar sexist content, morally policing the women and framing them as wrongdoers.
With the news channels repeatedly focusing on the women and their appearance, and in turn policing and shaming them raises questions about why women socializing in public spaces are chased and framed as criminals. In a democratic society, it is very important to facilitate the practice of women’s agency and right to access public spaces.
We demand that Thanthi TV and Polimer immediately issue and run an apology for their misogynistic reporting on all their broadcasting channels. Join us in urging them to apologize NOW by signing the petition.
[1] Newslaundry
Update
December 28: We've formally requested apologies from Thanthi TV and Polimer News for their misogynistic reporting via letters to their Editors in Chief, but we've not received any response from them yet.
November 24: An FIR has been registered by Chennai Police in the matter based on the complaint of a woman, who was chased and harassed by the reporters, and a couple, who were present at the pub that night. The police have also invoked the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act (TNPWH) against the accused persons.
On Sunday, November 19, Thanthi TV aired a video report that repeatedly zoomed on women’s faces and bodies, shaming them for their clothing and drinking at a pub in Chennai. This was done without the women’s consent.
You may be wondering why this happened. Investigation has revealed that the incident transpired after a group of inebriated men were denied entry by the pub staff as they had arrived near the closing time. Enraged at this, they started a fight. When the pub management called the police, the men called a contact in the media. The Tamil news channels, namely Thanthi TV and Polimer amongst others (Sun TV and Jaya TV), then started morally shaming and policing the women pub-goers.
This invasive method of reporting is a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights under Article 14, Article 15, and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
There has been public outrage about the lack of journalistic ethics and moral codes of conduct of Thanthi TV and Polimer’s reporting. We are disturbed by the two channels’ misogynistic ways of reporting, which was undertaken without regard for consent or privacy. It also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines women's agency in public spaces
Thanthi TV also posted recorded videos of women who were exiting the bar, on the next morning of November 20, on X (formerly Twitter) stating that an “all-night alcohol party was busted by the police,'' while also problematically adding how “half-dressed women ran out during the incident”. [1]
Many women were followed for close-up shots with cameras with the aim of exposing their identities. One woman who told a cameraperson that she would lodge a police complaint received a rude reply from the reporter, challenging her to do it.
The moral policing of the women was also posted on Thanthi TV’s YouTube channel, where the caption said “Chennai Pub-il Manmatha Koothu, Raid-il sikkiya Kilukilu Paravaigal - Moonjai Moodi kondu therithu ootta- Kathariya Thidir couples.” Even with a rough translation, the caption implies that “the interactions between the men and women at the pub were entirely sexual.” [1] The usage of sexist terms like “manmatha koothu” and “kilukilu paravaigal” further shames and objectifies the people at the pub. Polimer, another channel present at the pub premises, posted similar sexist content, morally policing the women and framing them as wrongdoers.
With the news channels repeatedly focusing on the women and their appearance, and in turn policing and shaming them raises questions about why women socializing in public spaces are chased and framed as criminals. In a democratic society, it is very important to facilitate the practice of women’s agency and right to access public spaces.
We demand that Thanthi TV and Polimer immediately issue and run an apology for their misogynistic reporting on all their broadcasting channels. Join us in urging them to apologize NOW by signing the petition.
[1] Newslaundry