Man charged for yelling FHRITP obscenity at NTV journalist
A St. John's man alleged to have yelled an obscenity at a reporter in St. John's on Monday has been charged.
NTV reporter Heather Gillis tweeted a photo of a pickup Monday afternoon, saying the driver had yelled "f—k her right in the p---y," or FHRITP, at her while she was recording an interview.
"I'm fed up. I'm tired of it," Gillis told The Canadian Press on Tuesday. "No one should have to endure that while they're working. I'm a professional and I was humiliated interviewing a politician. It's time for it to stop."
"We feel that this does send a message to people that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated," said RNC media relations officer Geoff Higdon, who explained why the charge was laid.
Higdon said female journalists in St. John's tell him "FHRITP" continues to be an issue and can happen any time they're working in public.
"This isn't something that in 2017 we should have to remind people, that it's inappropriate to yell inappropriate things at people while they're conducting their work, or what ever the case is," Higdon said.
Inappropriate and illegal
Higdon said under the "causing a disturbance" section of the Criminal Code, yelling obscene language in public is breaking the law.
"It's pretty straightforward … It's alleged this individual had yelled something very offensive and very obscene at this journalist".
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary responded to Gillis on Twitter, saying it would be investigating the incident.
"Being a loser may not be criminal, but causing a disturbance, s175 of the Criminal Code, is," the RNC tweeted.
Gillis said it's the third time she's been targeted with the expression since she began working at NTV in December 2011. She said she publicized this incident because every one of her female colleagues in St. John's has experienced the same thing.
"[I'm] glad that I'm standing up for myself and the other women who work in this business," she said.
"Hopefully this will set an example that this kind of behaviour needs to stop."
Higdon said police had a witness to corroborate what happened, the reporter had a photo of the truck and licence plate and on Monday night, a charge was laid against a 27-year-old man.
He is scheduled to appear in provincial court June 1.
