Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
International

Stranger Who Kissed CBC Reporter Megan Batchelor On Camera Apologizes, Says Incident Was A Mistake

The Canadian Press, 11 Aug, 2015 11:43 AM
    VANCOUVER — A CBC journalist who was kissed by a stranger on live TV has received an apology, but she's still being attacked by others online for making a complaint to police.
     
    Megan Batchelor was reporting from a music festival in Squamish, B.C., north of Vancouver, Friday when a stranger came up from behind, kissed her on the cheek at the same time as he took a picture of the event.
     
    Daniel Davies, 17, later reached out to her in a direct message on Twitter to identify himself and say he was sorry.
     
    Batchelor said his apology and feelings seemed very sincere.
     
     
    "He basically just said 'You know, in the moment I thought it was hilarious. And then when I saw your interviews and I saw the backlash and I put myself in your shoes, I immediately knew I was wrong and this was not appropriate," she said.
     
    Batchelor said her report to the RCMP prompted a much different response from those online.
     
    People have called her explicit names, written her lewd and aggressive messages, and criticized her intelligence and appearance.
     
    The backlash has been "insane," said Batchelor, adding that she's tried to ignore the hateful comments.
     
     
    She hopes that Davies' apology helps to calm the furor.
     
    "I'm really hoping that with him now speaking out and agreeing with the way that I've been feeling, I'm really hoping that that will perhaps diffuse some of the negativity and people who don't agree with me will perhaps see that this is not really an appropriate thing to do."
     
    As for the RCMP complaint, Batchelor said it's up to police whether they press charges, but she is happy with the apology she's received. 
     
    "In terms of where I'm at, I really don't want to see this kid lose out on future opportunities because of this," she said. "I really think he's paying the price now for his actions."
     
    The journalist does hope the incident will have an impact on people who think it's fun to interrupt television reporters while they work.
     
     
    "I guess I'm just hoping people will take that extra second and think 'Okay, that's a person there trying to do their job. How will what I'm planning on doing impact them and their ability to do that and is it really worth it?'" Batchelor said.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    2 Indo-American Doctors Jasjit Walia & Preet Randhawa To Pay Over $3.6 Million For Healthcare Fraud

    2 Indo-American Doctors Jasjit Walia & Preet Randhawa To Pay Over $3.6 Million For Healthcare Fraud
    The settlement between the government and NJMedCare/NJ Heart owners Jasjit Walia and Preet Randhawa was announced on Thursday, NJ.com reported citing US attorney Paul Fishman. 

    2 Indo-American Doctors Jasjit Walia & Preet Randhawa To Pay Over $3.6 Million For Healthcare Fraud

    Quebec's Female Daycare Educator Melanie Roy Charged In Sex Case Involving 12-Year-Old Boy

    Quebec's Female Daycare Educator Melanie Roy Charged In Sex Case Involving 12-Year-Old Boy
    Quebec City police say a 36-year-old daycare educator has been released after being arrested on sex charges involving a 12-year-old boy.

    Quebec's Female Daycare Educator Melanie Roy Charged In Sex Case Involving 12-Year-Old Boy

    Indian In UAE Jailed For 'Blasphemous' Facebook Status

    Indian In UAE Jailed For 'Blasphemous' Facebook Status
    A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced an Indian national to one year in jail for posting a "blasphemous and slanderous" status on social networking site Facebook, media reported.

    Indian In UAE Jailed For 'Blasphemous' Facebook Status

    Is Rent Out Of Reach? As More Americans Become Tenants, Study Shows How 11 Big Cities Stack Up

    Is Rent Out Of Reach? As More Americans Become Tenants, Study Shows How 11 Big Cities Stack Up
    From Boston to Miami, New York to Los Angeles, more than half of tenants are paying what experts consider unaffordable rents

    Is Rent Out Of Reach? As More Americans Become Tenants, Study Shows How 11 Big Cities Stack Up

    Man From Canada Accused Of Trying To Buy 100 Handguns At U.S. Dealership

    Man From Canada Accused Of Trying To Buy 100 Handguns At U.S. Dealership
    CONCORD, N.H. — A man from Canada has been charged with making false statements in an attempt to buy 100 handguns in New Hampshire.

    Man From Canada Accused Of Trying To Buy 100 Handguns At U.S. Dealership

    Most UAE-based NRIs Keen To Buy Property In India

    Most UAE-based NRIs Keen To Buy Property In India
    Almost 80 percent of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) want to buy apartments in India, with Bengaluru and Mumbai being the most preferred choices, a survey has revealed.

    Most UAE-based NRIs Keen To Buy Property In India