The latest edition of the World Cup in Russia has been full of upsets on the field as big teams have failed to make a mark. However, the off-field situation is even worse as things like a live, fully-grown bear riding a jeep through Moscow to free burgers being offered to women who were impregnated by Russian footballers, were seen.
Additionally, a female Colombian journalist was molested on live TV by a football fan. That led to a lot of protests online and the journalist even sent out a powerful message demanding a safe space for women at work. But unfortunately, there is still time for greater sense to prevail. Because another female journalist was harassed on Sunday.
In the video that shows Brazilian journalist Júlia Guimarães reporting live from Russia, a man can be seen trying to kiss her, only to be called out for his abusive behaviour.
The incident occurred on Sunday when Júlia Guimarães was outside the stadium in Yekaterinburg on Sunday. She can be seen preparing to report on the upcoming match when a man suddenly appears out of nowhere to kiss her. As Guimarães was able to see him coming, she dodged him.
However, unlike the Colombian journalist, Guimarães made the call to address the situation on the spot. Although the man goes off-camera, she reprimands him for his offensive behaviour and tells him not to do anything like this to any woman. The man can be heard feebly apologising to her as well.
You can watch the video here:
Great response from Brazilian TV journalist Julia Guimaraes of Sportv to unacceptable behaviour. Not easy to show such restraint in the face of harassment. pic.twitter.com/eFVZz6gdMA
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) June 24, 2018
Netizens were proud of her for acting instantly and saluted Guimarães for her take-down.
1. A standing ovation for Júlia!
“Never do this to a woman. Respect.” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/06QQ2Znudz
— Renata Capucci (@renata_capucci) June 24, 2018
2. She’s awesome indeed.
This journalist is all of us. It shouldn’t be on us to shout down harassers but, my woman, you are awesome. https://t.co/KMYrJHak1z
— Isabel Jordan (@seastarbatita) June 25, 2018
3. She is a real warrior.
Much respect to @juliacgc . The "should women commentate on football?" rubbish we have heard recently reminds us that we still have our own problems in UK, but this reaction from a Brazilian sports journalist in Russia is totally justified https://t.co/jZFZY65QYi
— David Hopps (@DavidKHopps) June 25, 2018
4. It will stop, it has to.
💪 @juliacgc Until it stops 💪 https://t.co/BMqA0IuSt1
— Shannon Sims (@shannongsims) June 25, 2018
5. That is undoubtedly true.
Several female reporters have been dealing with harassment in Russia during the World Cup Coverage. It's disgusting, and this journalist handled it beautifully. https://t.co/v1ach6w09A
— Malia (@WardMN) June 25, 2018
As Júlia Guimarães’ gained applause for her response, she took to Twitter to talk about the harrowing details of her coverage of the World Cup in Russia.
“It’s the second time something physical happened, of a guy trying to kiss me. It’s awful. I feel helpless, vulnerable. This time I [responded], but it’s sad, people do not understand. I wanted to understand why the person thinks he has a right to do that.”
Doing any kind of job isn’t easy. A person needs to focus and think in order to do it right. And when it’s on live TV, that requirement for focus becomes ten fold. So, it’s time for people to understand how hard it’s to regain one’s cool after such an intrusive act. Additionally, while Júlia’s calm reaction is laudable, steps should be taken so that this doesn’t become a recurring affair for female journalists around the world.