BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri became the unexpected focus of chatter on social media when a private joke during a live broadcast went awry, resulting in her inadvertently pointing her middle finger at the camera. The incident occurred as the broadcast seamlessly transitioned into the studio for the latest headlines, leaving viewers momentarily stunned.
Taken aback by this unexpected gesture, Moshiri quickly restored her professionalism, announcing: “Live from London, this is BBC News.” The short but poignant moment, which was quickly clipped and shared across various Twitter accounts, ignited a viral storm on social media.
Speaking about the incident, Moshiri offered a sincere apology and highlighted the context behind the gesture. She explained that the incident was part of a fun “private joke” she shared with her friends at the show. The joke involved playfully counting backwards with her fingers, culminating in an unintentional and offensive display of the middle finger. Moshiri stressed that it was never her intention to offend or upset viewers, and expressed her regret for any unintended impact.
As chief presenter of BBC News, Moshiri holds a senior position at the BBC, where her career has spanned more than two decades. The finger slip incident adds a humorous but relatable chapter to her career journey, reminiscent of a previous episode in which she creatively described a rare giant blue moon using hand gestures when the image failed to appear on screen.
This incident comes against the backdrop of major changes at the BBC, reflecting the broadcaster’s efforts to adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape. The merger of local and international channels into a single 24-hour television service, alongside the move of BBC Four and CBBC online, demonstrates the BBC’s commitment to a ‘digital first’ strategy amid a challenging financial climate. In addition, recent announcements, such as the reduction of Newsnight to a 30-minute format accompanied by staff reductions, underscore the broadcaster’s ongoing restructuring initiatives.
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