Wednesday was supposed to be a day when news networks in the United States provided coverage over the Electoral Tally. In the end, they shifted reporting as they began chronicling the siege by a pro-Trump mob.
Once the riots ensued, networks transitioned into the breaking news format usually reserved for foreign wars, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks. When they went to their correspondents on the ground, shaky cameras and shocked correspondents is what they witness.
Networks also went to their contributors, who were shocked and in disbelief of the events transpiring.
“This is the most significant breach of an American government institution since the War of 1812,” said Chad Pergram, the veteran congressional reporter on Fox News. “The mob upended American democracy today.”
Despite the news media outlets having people and footage from the ground floor along with commentary from contributors, the most shocking feeds they aired were from C-SPAN’s static cameras.
From this footage, the networks showed their audiences Vice President Mike Pence was abruptly ushered off the Senate floor by security forces and legislators reached for gas masks. Some law enforcement officials were also on camera where they had guns drawn towards rioters storming the Capitol. “This is the most significant breach of an American government institution since the War of 1812,” said Chad Pergram, the veteran congressional reporter on Fox News. “The mob upended American democracy today.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
