In the most pandemic news ever, NBN reporter Skaie Hull forgot to mute herself on Zoom before complaining about NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s response to her question.
The zoom incident happened when Hull was participating in a media Zoom press conference with the Deputy Premier.
Hull said: “Have any Western Sydney patients been transferred to Gosford hospital or the Central Coast yet?”
Hull was referencing reports that said COVID-19 positive patients from the western suburbs were allegedly being transferred to regional areas due to Western Sydney hospitals being at capacity.
Barilaro said: “I have no idea, but I’m sure that’s happened. In the past, is it current? I don’t know, and I don’t think it really matters, the reality is we are a network of hospitals.
“All our hospitals are there to serve all NSW citizens.”
Barilaro then moved on to another reporter and another question and assumedly Hull thought she’d muted herself, because she then said: “Same thing, scaremongering freakin rumours.
“He turned his camera off on me, so I’m pissed off. He purposely did that. I caught him fiddling around with the thing and he turned it off while replying to my question.”
Barilaro responded, “Skaie we can all hear that, and that’s not correct. I didn’t turn off the camera, I was actually trying to find the next question, so Skaie we heard everything you just said.
“Disappointed and everyone else heard it as well.”
Prime7 reporter, Samantha Costin reposted the exchange on her Twitter.
Hot Tip: When in @JohnBarilaroMP’s regional daily briefing with a few dozen other journos mute the mic before ranting to colleagues post questions 😂😅 #NSWCOVID #RegionalNSW pic.twitter.com/A1DVs8kMQw
— Samantha Costin (@samanthacostin) September 14, 2021
Georgia Clarke a reporter for The Daily Telegraph, took to Twitter to help shed some light on what happened. Hull then responded with a video of her asking the question.
Number one rule as a journalist – share all the sides to the story. pic.twitter.com/8hfqJf2DEA
— Skaie Hull – Journalist (@SkaieHull) September 14, 2021
Hull Tweeted; “Number one as a journalist – share all the sides to the story.”
This may have been a jab at Costin who only posted Hull talking when she thought she was on mute and not the actual question exchange between Hull and The Deputy Premier.
Either way, it’s a reminder to always check your mute button!
