Maryam Moshiri's Public Apology: Addressing the Controversy

In an unexpected turn of events during a live broadcast of ‘The Daily Global Programme,’ BBC news presenter Maryam Moshiri found herself at the center of controversy. As the recognizable countdown to the show’s commencement concluded, viewers were taken aback when the camera captured Moshiri making a seemingly impromptu gesture—raising her middle finger.

The incident, caught on live television, quickly circulated on social media, sparking a diverse range of reactions from the audience. Some criticized the act as unprofessional, while others perceived it as a harmless joke. Moshiri, however, was swift to address the situation, offering an apology for what she referred to as a “silly joke” intended for her team.

In her apology, shared on ‘X,’ Moshiri clarified that the raised middle finger was part of a private joke with her colleagues, performed at the moment the countdown hit one. She expressed regret that the incident went on air, emphasizing that it was not her intention to offend or upset anyone. Moshiri acknowledged the unexpected nature of the situation, stating that the gesture was not directed at viewers or any specific individual.

As the clip went viral, opinions remained divided on social media, with some users accepting the explanation as a harmless prank among colleagues, while others maintained it was inappropriate for a professional setting.

Moshiri’s Professional Background and Apology

Maryam Moshiri, a prominent journalist for the BBC, assumed the role of Chief Presenter for the leading program in July 2023, following the departure of Yalda Hakim. Moshiri, with a career spanning several years, began as a business reporter for Independent Radio News before joining the BBC in 2003. Her expertise in business news reporting led to a 16-year tenure as a business news anchor.

A postgraduate in Broadcast Journalism from the London College of Communications at University College London, Moshiri has interviewed influential personalities, including Jeff Bezos, Reed Hastings, Willie Welsh, and various economists, CEOs, and investors worldwide.

Moshiri, a married mother of three residing in London, issued a sincere apology, expressing remorse for any unintended offense caused by the on-air incident. Her statement clarified the nature of the gesture and emphasized its context as a private joke shared among her team.

This unexpected incident has opened a dialogue on the boundaries of professionalism in broadcasting, leaving viewers to ponder the fine line between workplace banter and on-air decorum

Re-reported from the article originally published in The shethepeople