The letter came in the wake of the story aired by the Malayalam news channel Reporter TV, which broadcasted the testimonials of the survivors.
Published Sep 16, 2024 | 12:31 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 16, 2024 | 12:31 PM
WCC writes to Kerala CM expressing concern over privacy of survivors amid media trials. (iStock)
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has written a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressing its deep concern over the revelations from the Justice Hema Committee Report and the privacy of survivors. The report has been handed over to the Special Investigation Team for further investigation as per an order by the special bench of the High Court.
In its letter, the WCC mentioned that there had been a grave violation of the court order by the news channel Reporter TV, which broadcasted the testimonials given by individuals from Malayalam cinema to the Justice K Hema Committee.
In a Facebook post on Monday, 16 September, the WCC highlighted that the court order has been violated, as the women who provided testimonials to the Justice Hema Committee have been subjected to irresponsible media trials through the Reporter TV news channel.
This is happening even as the Justice Hema Committee, appointed by the government, came under the purview of the Special Investigation Team and the government promised to ensure the privacy of the complainants.
“We met you personally to share this concern. But the most private statements, which the Justice Hema Committee, the government, and the court decided not to release, out of respect for the privacy of the survivors, are now being exposed through the Reporter TV. This has made the actions of at least some people, who have access to the committee report, suspicious,” the WCC said.
The WCC further noted that the information released by the Reporter TV could lead to the identification of the informants.
“This act creates the impression of victimisation and makes the lives of the women miserable and extremely stressful. This invasion of privacy is unjustified. We strongly request you to take immediate action in this regard and stop this ‘news’ attack, which is a violation of privacy,” the WCC added in its letter.
Malayalam news channel Reporter TV aired a story claiming that a woman actor alleged inappropriate behaviour by a well-known actor during the shooting of a song. The report also mentioned that several other female actors made similar complaints.
Last week, the WCC met with the Chief Minister and urged him to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the women who gave statements to the Hema Committee.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
