Four female Nalsar Hyderabad students were filmed outside a pub with the footage later edited by local television media into allegedly defamatory broadcasts. A week on, the girls have launched online protest campaigns against voyeuristic journalism, and garnered mainstream media support. 

Newslaundry summarised the events so far and spoke to the bureau chief of ABN Andhra Jyoti – one of the involved channels.

Newslaundry: What was the story you had in mind?

Shivaprasad: Of course, the pub was running after 10 o clock. Everything that happened was against the law.

Newslaundry: How was it against the law?

Shivaprasad: It is wrong for them to drink and stand outside. Why should they stand outside? Nothing personal against the girls, but you shouldn’t stand on the road at midnight dressed like that. Our main concern is for safety of the girls.

Newslaundry: Then where should they stand?

Shivaprasad: They should not stand like that. They should go straight into the cab and go home.

Newslaundry: So, you think it was a highly unsafe situation?

Shivaprasad: When the media reached there, the girls are safer, if the media is not there, then it’s a problem.