Maryam Moshiri recent incident will be the main focus of this post but I wanted to make sure this perceived assertion is very clear. I am no different from lots of people hence I love watching TV whether I am home or not. TV viewership has gone off the roof over the last 20 years mostly with the influx of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Nothing is bringing these streaming bad boys down as technological advancements in the use of the internet equally skyrockets. You know, watching movies all the time sometimes gets boring hence many people would love to spice things up by getting updates on happenings around them setting the mood up for these thrillers, dramas, sci-fi, or even horror flicks later. One thing I realized when I developed an interest in watching the news was how the news was organized. Organized schedules, openings of lines from the anchors, formal way of dressing, and even their facial expressions. These trained anchors are flawless on the screens. Yes, they read the news to us every time but this requires constant practice hence its brilliant delivery every time. Sometimes I feel they are robots from the future due to their stern faces when the cameras and lights are on. Indeed many watch the news for the fun of it but I take into detail what is going on as the news rolls on air for the masses to watch.
Maryam Moshiri is the main face of business on Afternoon Live on the BBC News Channel per the BBC’s official site. Maryam has been a key in the channels’ presentation and reportage for decades. She is a proud mom of three by the way. Some of the stories I have witnessed her cover extensively are the economic impact of the 9/11 attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. On December 6, 2023, I will say I was privileged to witness the renowned anchor flash her middle finger on live TV seconds after the BBC news jingle had ended. She went from a genuine human to a full-on robot in seconds as she realized she was live TV and that her act had been seen by millions. Her reaction was priceless and many have wondered what she was doing behind the scenes before taking the news seat. I was like “Haha good on you sweetheart” because that was the most genuine human thing I had seen on BBC for 15 years. Whoever distracted her behind the scenes long enough to not avoid hearing the signature countdown to the live clock needed to be awarded something. Seriously because everyone online claimed that they had been caught off guard.
I have seen anchors like Marly Rivera sacked for using curse words on a colleague. Also, Sage Steele was sent packing for controversial statements on political and social issues hence as the videos of the clip went viral, I realized how crazy it could impact her career in the coming days. Interestingly and deservedly she was been praised by many netizens. I must say Maryam Moshiri apologized for her actions due to her professionalism but she has a good sense of humour which many people will never forget and has raised my respect for her. She also indicated that she was joking around with the team when it happened(per the BBC). Her family and husband are yet to reply to this mishap on TV and I feel they have no reason to say anything but instead, she should man up and continue delivering on the best platform many news anchors fantasize about. She should be instead promoted for making everyone feel a part of the news network. Yes, she will go down in history for this unfortunate behavior but some 30 years from now, she will have a big story to tell her grandkids when they are of age. She even has the chance to frame her expression on her wall or something.
I stand to be corrected but none of her colleagues have come out to talk about this issue because they know it was not planned and she takes her work seriously. Even after the incident, she maintained eye contact, rather than shifting her eyes. This made her look very trustworthy as well. She is a brilliant woman who not only made me enjoy listening to the news but also made me understand how human journalists are despite their learned formal mannerisms in their field of work. Despite all these, anchors need to be vigilant when in such positions because she handled the incident pretty well and it has now even made her desirable around her peers at work. Good one, Maryam Moshiri, it was a surreal experience, and thanks for making that so.