Just days ago, a disturbing incident happened on live television in Madrid, Spain, as journalist Isa Balado [Twitter account] of Cuatro television channel was sexually harassed while reporting from the streets of Madrid during a live broadcast. The clip of the incident was shared heavily on social media posts and there were many claims about the perpetrator’s identity and motives, including false allegations that he was Muslim.

The fake news about the culprit’s Muslim identity was shared by many, but the main ones being @raviagrawal3 and @ajaychauhan41.

Clarifying the Incident

The incident involved a 25-year-old man of Romanian nationality, not a Muslim, as some false claims suggested. While journalist Isa Balado was reporting on an arrest made in Madrid, an unidentified man came to her from behind and inappropriately touched her. The assault was captured on live television, leaving viewers shocked.

As the incident occurred, the host of the show, Nacho Abad, ordered the cameraman to show the culprit’s face. Balado bravely confronted the man, asking him why he felt the need to touch her inappropriately while she was working. The journalist voiced her discomfort and urged the man to let her continue her work.

🚨🚨🚨 AGRESIÓN SEXUAL EN DIRECTO a nuestra reportera @IsaBalado: "¿De verdad me tienes que tocar el culo?"
Y tremenda reacción de @Nacho_Abad: "¡Pásame a este tío tonto!" pic.twitter.com/JOcbTLSFwI

— En boca de todos (@EnBocaDe_Todos) September 12, 2023

Police Action

Spanish police swiftly arrested the 25-year-old Romanian man accused of sexually assaulting journalist Isa Balado on the streets of Madrid. He was taken into custody, and an investigation into the incident was started. The timely response by law enforcement highlights the seriousness with which such incidents are treated in Spain.

🚩Detenido por agredir sexualmente a una reportera mientras estaba realizando un directo de televisión #Madrid pic.twitter.com/vKkBjNXJve

— Policía Nacional (@policia) September 12, 2023

Support and Condemnation

Following the incident, there was an outpouring of support in Madrid for journalist Isa Balado. The Minister for Equal Opportunities, Irene Montero, condemned the assault, highlighting the importance of providing the right to sexual freedom for all women. The Academy of Television and Audiovisual Sciences and Arts of Spain also said she regrets and condemns the violence towards information professionals.

La Academia de Televisión lamenta y condena toda violencia hacia los profesionales de la información. Nuestro apoyo a la reportera @IsaBalado de @cuatro que en el día de hoy ha sufrido una lamentable agresión en el ejercicio de su trabajo.
👇 pic.twitter.com/CuDLh9hgd3

— AcademiaTV (@academia_tv) September 12, 2023

Conclusion

Contrary to some claims, the accused individual is not a Muslim, nor is he from an Islamic nation. The incident involving Isa Balado serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists while fulfilling their duties. It also underscores the importance of fact-checking and confirming information before sharing it on social media platforms. Following a detailed analysis and fact-checking, our team has investigated the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread embedded below. For more details regarding the incident read a report by www.elconfidencial.com [Archive] or news.italy24.Press [Archive].

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ANALYSIS: Misleading

FACT: A video that shows a man wearing sunglasses sexually assaulting a television reporter during a live broadcast has been shared, claiming that a Muslim in Spain sexually assaulted a female journalist. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/6BivMnWxKU

— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) September 16, 2023

Claim: The man who sexually harassed Isa Balado on live television was a Muslim.

Fact: The individual involved in the incident was a 25-year-old Romanian man, and there is no evidence to support claims of him being a Muslim.

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Madrid Journalist Isa Balado Sexually Assaulted by a Muslim Man? Fact-check of the incident and the background of the alleged Muskim man