Justice is moving forward after a troubling incident involving a Cuatro program reporter in Madrid last September. The Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has requested a sentence of 18 months in prison for a man who allegedly assaulted the journalist on live television by touching her buttocks while she performed her duties on air. The filing also seeks a prohibition on contacting the victim, a restraining order banning him from being within 500 meters of her home, workplace, or any locations she frequents, and the payment of 1,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages to the reporter.
According to the indictment, the incident occurred around noon on September 23, 2023, during a live report from Madrid’s Lavapiés district. While the reporter was delivering a segment, a passerby allegedly touched her inappropriately, disrupting the broadcast and prompting a strong reaction from the studio team. The program’s host, Nacho Abad, briefly interrupted the live feed to address the situation on air, asking, “Did he just touch your ass?” The reporter responded affirmatively, visibly shaken and expressing a clear sense of violation.
In the ensuing moments, the host voiced his outrage and there was a tense on-air moment as colleagues and the reporter navigated the disruption while continuing with the broadcast. The interaction highlighted the reporter’s commitment to her work despite the intrusion and discomfort caused by the assault. The attacker’s actions were described as disrespectful and inappropriate, and the exchange on set underscored the seriousness with which the incident was treated by the program and its audience.
As the live coverage continued, the reporter confronted the aggressor with a blunt question about his behavior and current situation, to which the aggressor replied that he intended only to engage in conversation about the show. The reporter reaffirmed that she was working at that moment and asked for space to perform her duties without interference. The aggressor’s attempts to apologize were rejected, and the reporter made clear that she wished to continue her reporting without further interruption. The exchange reflected a broader insistence on professional boundaries and personal safety in live media contexts.
Despite the tense exchange, the reporter maintained her composure and persisted with the broadcast. The aggressor’s conduct, described by those present as unacceptable and objectifying, led to a delay in the segment and a focus on safeguards for journalists in the field. The incident proceeded to resolution only after the reporter requested that the situation be left alone, at which point the aggressor withdrew from the scene. It was noted that the aggressor touched the reporter’s hair in a manner described as paternalistic and sexist, an act recorded and later considered in the overall assessment of the case.
Following the incident, law enforcement authorities acted to locate and detain the individual involved. Hours later, the National Police apprehended the man, identified as a Romanian national born in 1998. Authorities released footage showing aspects of the arrest on social media, and the event was subsequently reported by media outlets covering the case. The proceedings form part of a broader legal response to protect journalists and uphold workplace safety standards in live reporting environments.