Hidden-camera TV show to expose sexual harassment

An Israeli production company has announced plans for a new reality television series influenced by the #MeToo campaign.

The unscripted hidden-camera show, which is called The Silence Breaker, aims to expose sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. It will allow victims to confront perpetrators on air.

Showrunners say they were inspired by the global women’s movement that sprung up after allegations emerged against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

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Assaf Gil, CEO of the production company Gil Formats, says he hopes his show will raise public awareness of the issue of workplace harassment and “inspire others to come forward and speak up.”

He told the Hollywood Reporter: “A lot of the [#MeToo] stories in the news have had to do with famous people, [but] we feel sexual harassment is a much more widespread phenomenon.”

The show shares its name with last year’s issue of Time Magazine in which the “silence breakers” behind the #MeToo movement were honoured with the title of Person of the Year.

The series will be pitched to international network executives at the MIPTV trade event in Cannes next month.

The show is unlikely to find favour with everyone. “The idea of making entertainment out of sexual harassment – even if the goal is to expose and confront perpetrators – may not sit comfortably with all viewers,” The Times says.

Some on Twitter have already accused showrunners of co-opting the #Metoo movement for profit.

Gil says the show isn’t directly connected to the #MeToo campaign and will focus on “the crimes, not the movement.”