This archive report was first published on 21 January 2022.
On January 21, 2022, a West Virginia reporter was struck by a car while live on air, raising questions about the safety of TV news reporting.
Professor Tuggle, an expert in the field, noted that even with a second person present, the accident may not have been prevented, as the car came from outside the shot.
However, he suggested that the newsroom could have taken steps to mitigate the risk, such as providing a reflective jacket or instructing the reporter to stand farther from the road.
Representatives for WSAZ and Gray Television Broadcasting, the station's owner, declined to comment on the incident.
Other journalists have shared similar experiences, with some reporting that they have felt pressure to work alone in potentially hazardous situations.
