TV Reporter Slaps Bystander During Live Broadcast

A TV reporter who slapped a boy on live TV has explained why she did it.

Maira Hashmi is a Pakistani journalist for news website Lahore Rang, and was surrounded by crowds of people while reporting on the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.

As she was speaking to the camera, her eyes pointed towards a teenage boy, whereupon she struck him in the face. Watch below:

The clip has gone viral on social media and Hashmi has since responded to the incident.

Writing in Urdu, she explained what went down, from her perspective: "This guy was bothering a family during the interview, which made the family upset.

"I first tried to nicely tell him that his behaviour was not good, but it fell on deaf ears and he resorted to bothering the family even more.

"I, therefore, decided that the boy’s behaviour should no longer be tolerated."

Lahore Rang

Users were divided on whether her explanation 'justified' the slap.

One person wrote: "This does not justify you slapping that kid. Are you his mother or Sister?? You have no right to slap a kid like that. You're a journalist, do you even know what that means and what responsibilities you have??? What message you're giving to others on live transmission??

"Using your hands is not a solution. And if he was disturbing other families who gave YOU the right to slap him?"

Another argued: "This is physical abuse you shouldn't touch anyone. You got lucky he didn't hit you back."

A third user commented: "No one has the right to physically abuse anyone else. That's it."

However, others thought she was in the right for standing up for herself.

Another person said: "Perfect. Taught him a good lesson."

While a second user added: "Well done. Serves him right."

Another person went on to say: "What did you do so wrong? A 10-year-old is harassing families. Does that mean families are so vulnerable that a 10-year-old would bother them? You should apologise so that such actions do not become your habit, otherwise if someone ever catches you, you will keep crying."

UNILAD has contacted Maira Hashmi for comment.

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