Australian journalists, politicians and ABC news viewers are fuming after reports surfaced the ABC has stood down presenter Natasha Exelby from on-air duties after a live TV blooper.
Exelby was caught day dreaming during a late night bulletin on ABC24 last week, when the director cut back to the studio following the end of a news package.
Exelby was filmed staring at her pen for several seconds before she realised where she was -gasping, jumping in surprise and then continuing with the news bulletin.
Read more: ABC News presenter shocked to realise she’s still on air
The clip was released by the ABC’s Media Watch program and has since gone viral.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that ABC management has banned Exelby from future on-air roles and the ABC has told 9news.com.au she is a "casual contributor, not a staff members."
"She has been booked for occasional on-air shifts when needed, and also does other occasional shifts for the ABC News channel," an ABC spokesperson said in a statement.
"Contributors work out their shifts with managers on a per needs basis. Details of individuals' shifts are confidential to them and not something the ABC publicly comments on."
Exelby poked fun at the gaffe after it the clip went viral.
“Thank U all for ur generous support. Not my finest hour. Myself and my mesmerising pen honourably salute you!” the presenter wrote on Twitter today.
https://twitter.com/NatashaExelby/status/851286797120192512
Fellow presenters took to social media to point out similar things have happened on live TV, with many starting the campaign #putyourbloopersout.
https://twitter.com/ash_gillon/status/851400370312028161
https://twitter.com/mattcunningham/status/851398311693111296
https://twitter.com/ShellyHorton1/status/851392962948808704
Opposition leader Bill Shorten weight in, saying the reported decision is “ridiculous”.
https://twitter.com/billshortenmp/status/851387637038325760
Veteran reporter and presenter Hamish Macdonald tweeted his support of Exelby, saying “we ALL make mistakes.”
https://twitter.com/hamishNews/status/851383369703317505
Dozens of others have joined in, calling for the ABC to reverse its decision and an online petition has been created, which has already attracted more than 600 signatures.
https://twitter.com/byrnesh/status/851359584094633984
https://twitter.com/wendy_harmer/status/851287648425529348
https://twitter.com/TraceySpicer/status/851379506027782145
https://twitter.com/BeebobOfficial/status/851406130022457344
https://twitter.com/lyndalcurtis/status/851402836952793089
https://twitter.com/TomAldred1/status/851409115385479169
https://twitter.com/MariamVeiszadeh/status/851409030505406464