In a funny incident that has gone viral online, BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri found herself at the centre of controversy when she was inadvertently caught making a rude hand gesture live on air.
The incident occurred during the world feed of BBC News at 12 noon on Wednesday, December 6th, leaving viewers and colleagues alike in shock. As the live broadcast kicked off with the customary musical countdown, Ms. Moshiri was caught unawares as the camera panned to her doing a funny gesture as the show went live.
The seasoned presenter was captured holding up her middle finger to the camera, apparently oblivious, for a split second, to the fact that the show had begun. The fleeting moment, though seemingly intentional, appeared to catch Ms. Moshiri off-guard as she quickly retracted her hand upon realising she was already on air.
A video gone viral
The incident has caused a storm online, especially on X, formerly known as Twitter, with many users finding Ms. Moshiri's lapse in concentration very funny, and commending her for showing her human side, if unintentionally. It has since been turned into memes, GIFs and amusing videos, with most users seeing the funny side of the incident.
Ms. Moshiri herself responded to the incident on X, assuring viewers that she was not indeed attempting to insult them in anyway, but in fact playing harmlessly with her colleagues.
She tweeted:
Hey everyone , yesterday just before the top of the hour I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery. I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0.. including the fingers to show the number. So from 10 fingers held up to one. When we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team and I’m so sorry it went out on air! It was not my intention for this to happen and I’m sorry if I offended or upset anyone. I wasn’t ‘flipping the bird’ at viewers or even a person really. It was a silly joke that was meant for a small number of my mates. 🤦♀️
Other users have criticised Ms. Moshiri's actions, with some claiming them to be unbecoming of a BBC News presenter, who are generally held to the highest journalistic standards in the country.
The show goes on
Despite the hiccup, the show must go on, and Ms. Moshiri, displaying commendable professionalism, seamlessly transitioned into delivering the day's headlines. The focus shifted from the unexpected gesture to the pressing news about disgraced former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been facing the Covid inquiry into his actions during the pandemic, which cost thousands of lives. Johnsons's career is strewn with highs and lows, scandals and deceit.
BBC, known for its commitment to journalistic integrity and high broadcasting standards, has not released an official statement regarding the incident at the time of writing. However, it is anticipated that the network will conduct an internal review to assess the circumstances surrounding the on-air blunder.
In an age where viral moments can define a career or become an enduring part of one's legacy, it remains to be seen how Ms. Moshiri and the BBC will navigate the aftermath of this on-air blunder. It will most probably be remembered as a funny TV blunder that has brought quite a few laughs to the online world over the last couple of days.
Read more:
⋙ BBC News names five presenters for new TV channel as big names snubbed
⋙ Boris Johnson faces investigations for living rent-free in donor's £20m home
⋙ Sally Nugent: This host stood in for Nugent on BBC Breakfast
⋙ BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood's mystery partner unveiled as toyboy 13 years her junior
