BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has spoken out against the racist and sexist abuse she receives on Twitter, saying she is 'not there to be abused'. The 41-year-old journalist said she accepts criticism as part of her role but will always call out abusive comments.
Munchetty, who presents the BBC's flagship morning programme, regularly responds to trolls who target her ethnicity, appearance, and gender. In one exchange, a user accused her of being employed for 'PC reasons', to which she replied: 'Thanks for that - what a valuable contributor to Twitter you are.'
The London-born presenter, whose parents are Malayali Indian, has also faced comments about her hair, glasses, and even sexual remarks. She often ends her retorts with 'BLOCKED', with fans rallying to her defence.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Munchetty said: 'I'm on telly, I'm in your home, so if you want to criticise me, fine. But I'm not there to be abused. Nobody is there to be abused.' She added that constructive criticism is welcome, but racist, sexist or bigoted comments are unacceptable.
Munchetty, who lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, TV director James Haggar, is one of four main BBC Breakfast anchors alongside Louise Minchin, Charlie Stayt and Dan Walker.
