Isa Balado, a television journalist for broadcaster Cuatro, found herself at the center of an unsettling incident while reporting on a robbery in Madrid on Tuesday, September 12. The incident unfolded outside a convenience store where shopkeepers had been arrested for confronting a burglar attempting a robbery.
As Balado was covering the scene, an unidentified man approached her from behind and behaved inappropriately, sparking outrage on social media and reigniting discussions surrounding the challenges women face in Spain's work environments.
Balado, determined to maintain her composure and continue her reporting, was interrupted by news anchor Nacho Abad, who was in the studio at the time. Abad, inquiring about the incident, asked Balado if she had been touched improperly, to which she responded affirmatively. He then encouraged her to show the man responsible on camera.
Addressing the offender directly, Balado questioned his actions, stating, "As much as you want to ask me what channel we’re from, do you really have to touch my rear? I’m live on air, and I’m working." The man denied the accusation and even touched her head before walking away.
Balado apologized for the disruption to her live report, but Abad reassured her that she had nothing to feel sorry for and expressed his anger at the situation.
Following the incident, Spain's national police announced via Twitter that a man had been arrested "for sexually assaulting a reporter while she was doing a live television show" and shared a brief video clip of the arrest.
This unsettling incident occurred in the wake of another recent incident involving former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales, who kissed footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. This action had sparked widespread condemnation, leading to protests, strikes, and ultimately Rubiales's resignation.
