India: CFWIJ registers protest against M Radhakrishnan’s appointment as president of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club
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October 26, 2021, New Delh- M Radhakrishnan came under fire, when it was reported that he broke into the premises of a woman journalist and harassed her due to political differences between them. He was subsequently dismissed by his employer news outlet “The Kerala Kaumudi”. Radhakrishnan was the secretary of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club at the time of the incident.
The survivor who wishes to stay anonymous claimed that Radhakrishnan who lived in the same locality as herself and her husband, broke into her home in November 2019 and abused, harassed and assaulted the occupants. Her husband and herself were also members of the press club and a political disagreement between the two parties resulted in Radhakrishnan attacking her home.
According to the email by Kerala Kamudi that confirmed his dismissal, "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. Radhakrishnan has now been appointed president of the Press club, putting at risk not only the safety of the survivor but all his women colleagues. These are serious criminal allegations against him that cannot be ignored.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism registers its protest against the election of M Radhakrishnan. Appointments like these reinforce the misogyny in the news media industry. Press clubs are meant to provide support networks to those in the field, they become counterproductive when they are being headed by individuals with a dangerous criminal record. We extend our support and solidarity to women journalists in the country at the time.
