The truth of MeToo: Ammu Joseph

Ammu Joseph an independent journalist and author based in Bangalore (India), writing primarily on issues relating to gender, human development and the media had an interactive session at the Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad. Students, alumni and faculty members from across UoH participated in the session addressing sexual harassment within the Media and Film Industry.

She shared how the movement had grown from the first revelations on Twitter and spread across the corporate industry, start-ups as well as politics. She highlighted some specific examples of the positive side of the movement and also reflected on the change that came about in the past 20 years since she wrote about women in journalism and how name and shame is actually an exercise in truth telling.

One critical observation also highlighted the fact that many organisations that did not have an Internal Complaints Committee to address these issues as recommended have begun to form them which is a welcome.

The interaction was followed by discussion on the various aspects of the movement. There were also discussions as to whether there should be any statute of limitations regarding such revelations that are made when it comes to enforcement of the law as the justice system in court rooms along with the police have to create an atmosphere which is more accepting of such reports, which it currently is failing to do.