Asianet News files complaint over online campaign targeting women journalists

Asianet News lodged a complaint with the Thiruvananthapuram cyber police regarding a cyber campaign against the news channel and its women journalists. 

According to Asianet News, an organised campaign was conducted on social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, for the past few days. Several social media handles sympathetic to the CPI(M) and BJP circulated posts alleging that a journalist was sexually assaulted by a prominent young Congress MLA. 

Many on social media resorted to speculation about the identities of the politician and the journalist. Some also accused a ‘prominent woman editor’ of not helping the survivor.

In its complaint, Asianet News has named individuals including Porali Shaji, Shameer Shahudheen Varkkala, and Arun Lal SV, along with YouTube channels such as ABC Malayalam and SVS Vibes. The channel has also sought an investigation into others who may be involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Asianet News has also submitted petitions to the Kerala Chief Minister, Director General of Police, and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists.

This report was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a subscriber here.