Gente de NAHJ: This viral blow up helped a reporter learn valuable lessons
Imagine going viral for standing your ground after being interrupted while doing a live shot during a Stanley Cup game. That was the case for Samantha Rivera, who in 2023 was in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the sporting event for CBS Miami.
“I was angry more than anything, just because I couldn’t believe that somebody would be so rude and just careless in that moment and not respect a journalist’s work,” she said. “You wouldn’t try and get in the way of a doctor, a firefighter or a teacher.”
Three years later, Rivera, who now works at ESPN, often reflects on what that moment taught her.
“Everything just kind of started to blow up, and I definitely didn’t expect that either, but I did think it was important for people to be reminded that it’s not something you should be doing,” Rivera said. “I see that moment as a moment of growth. One that I didn’t see coming. I learned so much about myself too, what I’m capable of.”
When asked whether this significant moment in her career impacted her in a positive or negative way, Rivera said:
“It was definitely a good way. I remember telling my agent at the time, ‘I don’t want people to just remember me as the girl who just shoved him,’ and he’s like, ‘They’re not. They’re gonna remember you as the reporter who shoved him away, and then continued with your work. You were there to be focused and report on a really historic moment, and you did your job.’”
Abigail Segoviano is a recent San Diego State University graduate in journalism. She aspires to write about the NBA one day and is currently an intern for La Voz, the Spanish-language publication of The Arizona Republic. Reach her at abigailsegoviano1@gmail.com
