BBC Female Anchor Flips Off Finger During Live Broadcast... "What Do You Take Viewers For?"

"Communication Was Ongoing Among the Production Team" Explanation

A BBC announcer in the UK was caught making an obscene finger gesture during a live broadcast, sparking controversy.

On the 6th (local time), during the BBC international news program 'The Daily Global,' presenter Maryam Moshiri raised her middle finger with an exaggerated expression at the beginning of the broadcast.

A BBC announcer was caught making an obscene finger gesture during a live broadcast. Photo by BBC capture

Before the news started that day, a broadcast countdown began, and once the countdown ended, the announcer was scheduled to appear and deliver the news immediately.

However, right after the broadcast began, Moshiri was seen making the obscene finger gesture. She seemed to realize the broadcast had started, changed her expression, lowered her hand, and proceeded with the news.

As this obscene finger gesture was aired, criticism toward Moshiri poured in on social media platforms. Netizens, apparently British, commented, "How do you think of the viewers?" and "This behavior is unacceptable."

Moshiri explained that it was not intentional. On the 7th, she posted on her X (formerly Twitter), "Just before the hour yesterday, I was joking a bit with the team," adding, "The director counted down from 10 to 0, and I was showing the numbers with my fingers to count down as well." She continued, "When it reached 1, I jokingly twisted my finger," and explained, "I didn’t realize this would be caught on camera."

She bowed her head, saying, "It was a private joke among the team," and "It was not intentional, and I apologize if it caused any offense. I did not intend to flip the bird at the viewers."