BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has spoken out about the shocking sexist and racist abuse she receives online – but has said she refuses to be upset by "idiot" internet trolls. Naga, 41, told the Mirror that she accepts criticism is part of her role in the public eye but added that she will not tolerate abusive language.
"I'm on the telly, I'm in your home, so if you want to criticise me, fine," the TV host explained. "I've put myself out there and I can't complain that someone has an opinion about me.
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Naga Munchetty has hit back at internet trolls
"But I am not there to be abused. Nobody is there to be abused. You don't abuse someone while they're doing their job, and you don't make racist, sexist or bigoted comments.
"Don't expect to make them on social media for your followers to see and get away with it. That's not what happens."
Naga continued: "If someone says, 'She did a bad job of that interview, I've come away and not understood anything', I would go back and re-examine that interview. Racist and sexist stuff, I just think, 'You're an idiot'.
The BBC Breakfast host said she refuses to be upset by sexist or racist comments
"I am not going to go home going, 'I'm so upset someone's called me a racist word', or said I'm a woman, I can't do a job. They are idiots. You can't waste your energy on idiots."
Naga is not afraid to confront the trolls head on, and she often replies with witty retorts which are applauded by her fans online. In March, when one nasty commentator wrote, "You're a BBC race card", Naga simply replied: "*You're* rubbish at spelling. BLOCKED."
Naga is one of four BBC Breakfast anchors, sharing the sofa with Louise Minchin, Charlie Stayt and Dan Walker. The show pulls in around 1.5million viewers on a daily basis.
