[imagesource:here]

There must be something in the air affecting news reporters, because there has been a fair share of them being caught in awkward situations while shooting for live TV lately.

It could also just be occupational hazards mixed with the human condition.

How can we forget the Namibian “Jessica, we are live” moment that South Africans found absolutely hilarious, or Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu being hit by load shedding in the middle of an interview on SABC News.

In other news, an ITV News reporter in Birmingham, UK, was caught swearing and threatening a member of the public in a foul-mouthed tirade as he tries to film a segment.

A 53-second clip of the altercation between Callum Watkinson, a journalist with ITV News Central, and a bystander was posted to Twitter on Friday, reports Metro.

It shows Watkinson shout  “I’m gonna f***ing bang you out” at the other man who he accused of walking into his shot.

The scene exploded on Broad Street in the city centre:

Callum Watkinson from ITV Central does NOT appreciate being interrupted when is working.

Here is a clip of the reporter ranting and raving at people who disrupted a broadcast on Broad Street, Birmingham.

Video: ImJustBrum pic.twitter.com/Glxh6HBGcv

— Luke Addis (@mrlkdds) June 11, 2021

Here it is again from YouTube:

In case the sound isn’t great, Watkinson is heard saying the following:

“Don’t f***ing do it and I won’t come into your workplace and start f***ing with you, idiot.

“You get me behind me again, I’m gonna f***ing bang you out.

“Why don’t you go and get a job and then I’ll come behind you and start being an idiot?

Twitter users didn’t hesitate to criticise the reporter:

“Perhaps [Watkinson] could’ve omitted the profanity, lowered tone, and not mentioned other jobs like they’re inferior,” reads one comment…

“Fair enough he should tell the lad not to do what he did, but to threaten him and also mock low paid workers at Footlocker/McDonald’s is absolutely shameful!”

Meanwhile, ITV apologised for any offence, mentioning that they had spoken to the reporter and were dealing with the matter internally.

Surely there are better ways to make people interested in the news?

[source:metro]