BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty left ‘fuming’ after being ‘intimidated’ by a man while walking alone
Naga Munchetty has recounted how she was “furious” when she talked about her terrifying experience in which a man “bullied” her while walking alone.
The 47-year-old BBC breakfast presenter recently sparked a conversation about women’s safety after joining the 16 Days of Gender-based Violence Activism campaign in a bid to raise awareness of the issue.
As part of the project, Naga headed out on a night out with a group of students from Leeds, and the broadcaster spoke about her experience on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Fears: Naga Munchetty has recounted how she was left ‘smoking’ when she talked about her terrifying experience in which a man ‘intimidated’ her while walking alone.
The ladies involved detailed being complimented and inappropriately touched by men, and Naga detailed how it’s an ongoing problem for women and also recalled her own moment of bullying.
She detailed to the daily star: ‘There were men who would call and say, “I figured when I was younger I said some horrible things and I felt kind of bad if a girl didn’t accept my advances.” It’s about teaching people who are rejected not to get offended and that it’s not a problem.’
Detailing his own experience, he added: “I’ve had it when I’ve walked down the street and a guy said, ‘Hey, you look great’ and I just look at them and think to myself, I’m furious. I didn’t invite that. You are intimidating me.
Important: The 47-year-old BBC breakfast presenter recently sparked a conversation about women’s safety after joining the 16 Days of Gender-based Violence Activism campaign in a bid to raise awareness of the issue.
So you answer and say, “Thank you” and keep walking or you look down and keep walking and then they turn around and say, “Hey, I’m talking to you. What’s your name?” I don’t want to give you my name. And then you say, “I’m really busy, nice to meet you” and move on. But then you’re like “Oh what, are you too nice to talk to me?”.
Naga, who recently responded to a non-fan listener, said that this was “a very specific example” but that it was a scenario that happens.
Further detailing her fears of being alone on the streets, she continued on her radio show: ‘I’m 5ft 4, I walk with the keys in my hand, I’m quite small. Walking alone, I look around every 30 seconds and constantly check what is going on in front of me, to the sides, and behind me.
Safety: As part of the project, Naga headed out on a night out with a group of students from Leeds, and the broadcaster spoke about her experience on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Asked if a man ended up somehow walking up behind her, even incidentally, she said: ‘Which would help me, if I heard something, even if it was just throat clearing, or music or a phone conversation, I would recognize you.
‘And I can only speak of how I feel, and I would feel safer, if the man walking behind me would cross the street and speed up to walk in front of me.
‘Because then I wouldn’t have to worry about what you were doing behind me and whether you were going to run after me or run and hit me or take something from me or push me.’
She added: “That’s the reality.”
Experience: ‘I just look at them and think inside, I’m fuming. I have not invited that. you are intimidating me
It comes after Naga responded to a Radio 5 Live listener who said they are “not a fan” of her.
The journalist took to Twitter to share the “incredible response” she received from listeners to a recent broadcast on gender violence.
However, one person shared that they weren’t impressed with the star, leading Naga to share a very dignified response.
The journalist headlined a night out with a group of Leeds students as part of the BBC’s BBC Safety campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Make her say: It comes after Naga responded to a Radio 5 Live listener who said he was “not a fan” of her.
And on Wednesday he shared his delight at the response the broadcast had, writing on Twitter: “We had an amazing response from listeners today. Thank you all for joining us @bbc5live. Listen again on @BBCSounds 11am – 1om x” . [sic]
However, one person responded by saying they are not a ‘fan’ of the BBC Breakfast presenter, before praising her broadcast on women’s safety.
They wrote: ‘Sorry Naga, I’m not a fan of yours, but I listened to most of your interviews with young women from Leeds today.
Work: The journalist took to Twitter to share the ‘incredible response’ she received from listeners to a recent broadcast on gender-based violence.
‘They rightly worry about the side effects of drinking, male harassment in general, feeling anxious – on a night out! You don’t want to wear a dress, in case it sends the wrong message. What! xx.’
Naga then responded to the, “Fan or not, I’m glad you heard what they were saying, even if you don’t relate to all of their experiences.”
While one listener wasn’t her most supportive, many Twitter users were quick to praise Naga’s latest work.
Pleased: On Wednesday she shared her delight at the response to the broadcast, writing on Twitter: “We had an amazing response from listeners today. Thank you all for joining us.”
OMG: One person, however, responded by saying they’re not a ‘fan’ of the BBC Breakfast presenter, before praising her broadcast on women’s safety.