The Internet blew up after ABC newsreader Natasha Exelby was caught fiddling with her pen on camera and then quickly realised she was on air.
Watch the moment again here:
At first, ABC reportedly decided to ban her from being on air after the incident, however have since released a statement claiming that this was untrue following public backlash.
“Media reports that Natasha has been ‘banned’, ‘barred’ or ‘fired’ are untrue. Natasha is a freelance journalist who works as a contributor,” a statement by News Director Gaven Morris read.
“She has been rostered for various shifts and has been assured since yesterday that we want that to continue. While she is not currently doing any on-air shifts, this will be subject to normal performance management. I have spoken to Natasha and conveyed our regret that this has attracted such attention.”
Yesterday journalists got behind her blooper, starting a hashtag on Twitter to share their own on-air mishaps (and some of them were equally as hilarious).
But it seems that the blooper is not going to hold Exelby’s career back, as Sydney radio station KIIS 1065 just announced that she will be filling in to present the breakfast show next week.
The National Content Director Duncan Campbell made a statement about their decision.
“We are excited to have someone with Natasha’s expertise join our newsroom at KIIS 1065,” he said. “Not only is she a seasoned journalist, but the way she has handled the unexpected attention and public scrutiny following her ‘blooper’ this week shows Natasha has poise under pressure and, most importantly, a sense of humour so I am sure she will feel at home with the KIIS team.”
Natasha Exelby recently responded to the incident with good humour on Twitter, thanking everyone for their support and saying it wasn’t her ‘finest hour’.
