Lahore, Pakistan – During a live broadcast covering Eid al-Adha celebrations, journalist Maira Hashmi was seen slapping a teenager who allegedly harassed a family she was interviewing. The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, has sparked debate about public harassment and the role of journalists in such situations.
Hashmi, who was reporting live from a crowded area, stated that the teenager was continuously disrupting her interview with a family despite multiple warnings. Frustrated by the ongoing disturbance, she reacted by slapping the boy, an action that was captured on camera and later circulated widely online.
Following the incident, Hashmi defended her response, explaining that she had repeatedly asked the teenager to stop his disruptive behavior.Maira
However, when he persisted, she felt compelled to take immediate action. “I had warned him multiple times, but he didn’t listen. He was harassing a family during my interview, and I had no other choice,” she said in a statement.
Public reactions to the incident have been mixed. Some social media users applauded Hashmi for standing up against harassment, arguing that such behavior should not be tolerated, especially during family-oriented events. Others, however, criticized her actions, saying that physical aggression was not an appropriate response and that legal authorities should handle such matters.Maira
Local authorities have not yet commented on the incident, and it remains unclear whether any further action will be taken against either party. Meanwhile, media organizations and journalist associations are discussing the ethical implications of the incident, with some calling for better guidelines on handling such situations during live reporting.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about harassment in public spaces and raises questions about how journalists should respond when faced with such disruptions while on duty.
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