‘They don’t want us to focus on this’ – Business News
A CBS Austin reporter was seen on a stay Facebook stream showing to get a directive from a superior to steer away from a pro-Israel, pro-US and pro-Trump protest behind him — after which refusing to associate with the instruction on digicam.
Vinny Martorano was outdoors the Texas Capitol on Saturday overlaying dueling demonstrations within the wake of US and Israeli strikes on Iran when a crew member handed him a telephone with a message from an unnamed boss.
After studying the screen, the reporter requested out loud, “What does that mean?”
Vinny Martorano, a reporter for CBS Austin, seems on a Facebook livestream outdoors the Texas Capitol as demonstrators wave Iranian and American flags behind him. CBS Austin
An off-screen staffer answered, “It means they don’t want us to focus on this.”
“Well, I am,” Martorano shot back, persevering with his protection.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns CBS Austin, insisted Martorano had not been instructed to keep away from sure views.
“[S]tation management directed the crew to follow our standard protest and rally safety and coverage guidelines, remain on the perimeter, gather necessary content, complete the live shot, and move to a safe location,” a Sinclair spokesperson informed The Post in an e-mail.
“There was no directive to avoid or de-emphasize any particular perspective,” the spokersperson added. “The guidance was focused on safety, logistics, and ensuring comprehensive coverage in a rapidly evolving situation. The safety of our teams is top priority.”
The second was clipped down to roughly 35 seconds and shortly went viral because it bought reshared by conservative social media accounts.
The exchange was seen as proof the media was making an attempt to bury a show of assist for President Trump and the army motion.
Follow The Post’s protection of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran:
The video is split-screen, displaying a giant crowd on the left and Martorano, wearing a navy blazer, on the best as he seems to put together for a stay shot.
Martorano was handed a telephone by a crew member during a livestream from the Texas Capitol. CBS Austin
In footage described on the livestream, Martorano is surrounded by demonstrators waving Iranian flags and chanting “Thank you, Trump” and “Thank you, Bibi,” a reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Martorano retains the digicam skilled on a pro-Trump rally that erupted after information broke that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed. CBS Austin
Martorano refuses his boss’s orders to ignore Trump supporters waving American and Iranian flags. CBS Austin
🚨BREAKING: Austin CBS reporter is being praised for defying a superior’s order to ignore a large crowd of Iranian nationals cheering President Trump and U.S. army motion.”They don’t want us to focus on this.””Well, I’m.” pic.twitter.com/Ze1o8iCDeB— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) March 1, 2026
The crowd seems to embrace members of the Iranian diaspora waving pre-1979 “Lion and Sun” Iranian flags, together with US flags.
Several people had been seen holding posters of Reza Pahlavi, the previous crown prince of Iran.
Sinclair runs dozens of native associates across the nation. The Post has sought remark from the station.
President Donald Trump introduced coordinated US strikes on Iran carried out alongside Israel, concentrating on key army and security websites. AP
Trump confirmed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following the opening wave of US–Israeli strikes. KHAMENEI.IR/AFP by way of Getty Images
Celebrations broke out within the wake of information that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed during the opening part of large-scale, coordinated US–Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday.
