US pickup artist Roosh V says female journalists must grant sexual favours in exchange for interview

SINGAPORE - American pickup artist Daryush Valizadeh, better known as Roosh V, says that female journalists must perform sexual acts on him before he decides to grant them an interview, reported Daily Mail. 

According to the report, a number of established female Australian reporters had requested an interview with Valizadeh, only to have him respond: "I don't respect the work of female journalists. Interview denied."

Valizadeh also said that the media had misrepresented his agenda and apologised to his supporters for cancelling an international meet-up planned on Saturday (Feb 6).

The controversial blogger has accused the international media for labelling him as a rape advocate, a banner he has lived under since publishing an article last year on legalising rape.

Valizadeh had allegedly called for rape to be legalised on private property as a means to "defeat rape culture".

"I propose that we make the violent taking of a woman not punishable by law when done off public grounds. If rape becomes legal under my proposal, a girl will protect her body in the same manner that she protects her purse and smartphone," he wrote.

Since then, the 36-year-old has repeatedly insisted that the article was satirical.

Earlier this week, the controversial pickup artist had plans to hold international 'tribal meetings' in 43 countries.

Fort Canning was listed as a meeting point in Singapore. Police told AsiaOne on Tuesday night (Feb 3) that they did not receive any request for a permit to hold a public gathering at the venue on that day.

Australian television host Waleed Aly suggested that Valizadeh's meet-up plans could be an attempt to perpetuate his agenda via negative media publicity.

However, plans for the meet-up were shelved after Valizadeh said "he can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend".

While Valizadeh says that he fears for the safety of his supporters, it appears that the sentiment doesn't resonate when it comes to female reporters who have approached him for interviews.

Valizadeh had rallied his supporters on his forum page to compile personal particulars of journalists who have "lied" about his agenda.

"I can tattoo 'it was satire!' on my head but the anger wouldn't be one decibel softer," he tweeted on Wednesday. "The masses think what the media tells them to think."

The witch hunt may have taken off in his circle, but it may very well backfire.

According to The Guardian, Valizadeh called for "feminine women who are disgusted with media lying" to follow the hashtag #femininewomenforRoosh.

It only attracted 17 tweets in five hours, most from men or women mocking Valizadeh.

debwong@sph.com.sg