India: CFWIJ Welcomes The Dismissal Of Journalist M Radhakrishnan After Reports Emerge Of Him Harassing A Woman Colleague

Location: India, Thiruvananthapuram
Date: June 9, 2021

Journalist M Radhakrishnan, who is also the Secretary of Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, was dismissed by his employer news outlet “The Kerala Kaumudi” after reports of him harassing a woman journalist and colleague came to light. The survivor who wishes to stay anonymous claimed that Radhakrishnan barged into her home and harassed, abused and assaulted the occupants in November 2019.

The survivor and her husband, who are also members of the press club, confirmed the dismissal of Radhakrishnan in an email. In what is the first correspondence since the survivor filed the criminal charge against Radhakrishnan, the email provides details of the incident. The survivor and her husband lived in the same locality as Radhakrishnan and had maintained a cordial relationship prior to the elections for the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ). Political differences of opinion at the time became the reason for Radhakrishnan’s criminal behaviour.

According to the email, "One of the female employees of Kerala Kaumudi, stood in the elections against the panel supported by Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan had called me several times asking to make her step down from contesting the elections which I had declined. Later I had put a comment on a WhatsApp group during the discussions regarding the KUWJ elections. The comment (which was leaked from the group to Radhakrishnan) irked him and he had called me saying if the panel supported by him fails in the elections that would be because of this (her comment in the group). He didn't even listen to what I was saying but was shouting and cut the phone. There started his enmity towards me.” The email also mentioned the mental toll that the incident took on the survivor and the fear she still feels regarding her safety.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the decision taken by the management at the “The Kerala Kaumudi”. However, this should only be the beginning. Radhakrishnan should be brought to account legally and the survivor should be given justice. The safety and security of the survivor should also be ensured at this time. We extend her all our support and solidarity.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.