A viral clip showing a group of male fans interrupting a female sports reporter during a broadcast sparked widespread outrage online. And one therapist who specializes in workplace issues thinks the situation sparked an important conversation.
On Sunday, Brett Austin Taylor, a sports director with ABC affiliate KEZI 9 News in Oregon, tweeted a video clip that showed KEZI sports reporter Olivia Cleary covering a college football game between Oregon State University and Lafayette University over the weekend while a group of young men can be seen and heard repeatedly shouting over her.
Cleary notably maintained her composure as the rowdy fans screamed directly behind her, made hand gestures and at times blocked her from view. Many commenters online commended Cleary for powering through her broadcast despite the disruptive behavior. Others questioned whether the reporter felt she was in a safe environment.
A representative from KEZI 9 News did not immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment. The official X account for OSU’s athletics program released a statement on Sunday.
“We’re aware of the incident circulating on social media involving disruptive fan behavior during a live report. The actions displayed do not reflect the values of Beaver Nation or our fan code of conduct,” the statement read. “We are reviewing the situation further and apologize to the reporter for her experience. We also commend her professionalism and composure in handling the moment.”
Cleary has also since responded to the viral clip, writing on X on Sunday that she was aware that the video had been circulating and that she appreciated the outpouring of support. “At the start of my live shot, fans were kind and added a fun element to my coverage,” she wrote. “As it went on, a few fans stuck around and things got a little out of hand which is what you saw. For the most part, Beaver Nation has been very welcoming to me. Live TV is unpredictable and sometimes you have to roll with it!”
While Cleary has received wide praise on social media for maintaining her composure in the situation, Hallie Kritsas, a licensed mental health counselor and therapist with Thriveworks who specializes in self-esteem, workplace issues and anxiety, emphasized that the way Cleary handled the situation is often “much harder” to do than it seems.
People should remember that “being harassed in public while trying to do your job can be deeply unsettling,” she told HuffPost. “It can trigger feelings of fear and even helplessness, especially when it’s broadcast for others to see.”
“Maintaining composure in those moments requires significant emotional regulation and professionalism,” she continued. “It’s often much harder than it appears and people underestimate how stressful it is to stay calm and focused under public scrutiny and disrespect.”
Kritsas said that when she first watched the clip, she was immediately concerned for the reporter’s safety and well-being.
“What showed most was the blatant lack of respect and awareness from the young men,” she said.
What’s more, she believes the clip likely resonated with a lot of people online because she thinks viewers recognized “an imbalance of power and gender dynamics at play.”
“A woman simply doing her job in a male-dominated sports environment was publicly undermined and harassed by a group of young men,” she said. “It tapped into a broader frustration about how women are often treated in professional and public spaces.”
And Kritsas said that, generally speaking, for anyone who finds themselves in an uncomfortable situation in the workplace, she recommends they prioritize their safety, as well as their physical and emotional space.
“Setting clear boundaries, calmly disengaging, and seeking support from colleagues or supervisors afterward are key,” she said. “Organizations should also have policies in place to protect employees from harassment.”
Lastly, Kritsas said it’s important to process any feelings you may have about a distressing exchange. She recommends talking with a trusted friend, mentor or therapist — anyone who can help “mitigate lingering stress or anxiety.”
