Tatyana Limanova, Russian Newscaster, Fired After Giving Barack Obama The Finger On Live TV

Tatyana Limanova, one of Russia's most popular and respected newscasters, has been fired from her job at REN TV, after a video of her appearing to give President Barack Obama the middle finger on live TV went viral on the internet.

The incident occurred on Nov. 14, during a segment about Russian President Dmitry Medvedev assuming the chairmanship of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Obama had held the position previously, and Limanova raised her middle finger as she read Obama's name.

Limanova said that the incident was an embarrassing misunderstanding -- she did not know that she was on camera and was directing the gesture at studio technicians. "I thought I was out of shot," she said, according to The Telegraph.

The TV station, however, decided to remove her from her position on air. "This does not diminish her guilt and cannot be considered an excuse. The REN TV management views this action as the gravest violation of on-air discipline and a demonstration of unprofessionalism," the channel said, according to RIA.

"A decision has been taken that T Limanova cannot and will not continue to work on the REN TV channel as a presenter," the station said in a statement, according to The Daily Mail.

Limanova told The Telegraph she was "relaxed and calm" about the decision to let her go.

"Obviously the channel's management decided to view this clumsy curious incident seriously and I completely accept and respect that. Some people viewed it with irony, while others did not. I understand that I damaged the channel and perhaps offended some of the viewers."

Limanova told RIA that English-language media took the video out of context.

"It is a brilliant example of how facts can be interpreted. I have an incredibly positive opinion of President Barack Obama and my gesture had no relation to the respected president of the United States," she told The Telegraph.

Comments

[Ohioliberal]

06:07 AM on 12/26/2012

What!!??? No job offers from Fox News??

[TarzanaGirl]

09:46 PM on 12/11/2011

So Ms. Limanova was fired for "the gravest violation of on-air discipline and a demonstration of unprofessionalism?" Good thing for every FAUX NEWS broadcaster that REN TV isn't running things on their end. Glenn Beck in particular wouldn't have lasted a day, let alone Hannity or O'Reilly or Fox & Friends...

[BooTay]

05:21 AM on 12/05/2011

This is convoluted, baggeresque 'logic'. Precisely how does a news anchor, who makes an obscene gesture while reading the news, live, assume that she was not on camera? I see a show on Faux in this prevaricating doofus' future.

[Bubba Gump]

04:58 AM on 12/05/2011

Good lookin' woman who flips the bird to President Obama. Hmmm ... I wonder when Tatyana will get hired by FOX NEWS?

[sakovkt]

12:13 AM on 12/10/2011

NoW!

[numbers28]

09:49 AM on 12/26/2012

HEHEHEHEHEHE!

[LittleRedHenSez]

02:57 PM on 12/03/2011

Geez, Fox mouths give Obama the finger in so many ways on a daily basis. Wish someone would fire all of them.

[Rowwdy]

05:30 PM on 12/03/2011

*You can’t; they all belong to the writer’s guild…

[numbers28]

09:50 AM on 12/26/2012

I thought all the fauxNotNews krew hate unions? Hypocrites!

[SouthStJo]

03:59 AM on 12/03/2011

Since nobody here bothered to read the article.......

The title is misleading, and her finger had nothing to do with Obama.

[OBkinobe]

04:24 PM on 12/04/2011

Really though???

[krenzny]

09:23 AM on 01/02/2013

I read the whole article and I don't believe her.

[SouthStJo]

03:57 AM on 12/03/2011

This is misleading to say the least.

By her own account he was flipping off some guy in the studio

[OBkinobe]

04:27 PM on 12/04/2011

By HER own account HE.....????

[wonderfullone]

11:47 PM on 12/02/2011

They should have sent her to Siberia.-------------------What a rude woman.

[terry63]

11:36 PM on 12/01/2011

We were lied to during the cold war. We were told that Russian, women were fat and ugly. They are not. they are beautiful. I lived a year in egypt, in Sharm El Shielk, . There I was fortunate to see many Russian people. The women are drop dead gorgious and the men are gratefull.

[SouthStJo]

03:58 AM on 12/03/2011

When exactly were we told that Russian women were fat and Ugly?
In those James Bond films?

C'mon now, they are just fat and ugly when they get old

[StopMakingSense2]

05:30 PM on 12/01/2011

Maybe it wasn't directed at Obama maybe it was, welcome to gotcha journalism where the producers of it are not exempt from it!

[venice6]

04:23 PM on 12/01/2011

I did know they had Fox " news " in Russia

[Henwood]

08:24 AM on 12/01/2011

My goodness, you people are sick. Why censor a finger? Why should the video violate Youtube's terms?
With that kind of attitude it's no wonder the GOP's presidential lineup is what it is. Sheesh.

[cagog]

05:49 PM on 11/30/2011

Russian will always be "russians".

[Whistlejackett]

02:26 PM on 11/30/2011

She has a very valid point, one which is a world view, and totally acceptable.

[venice6]

04:24 PM on 12/01/2011

Someone must have told her Obama means... Republicans

[Whistlejackett]

07:17 PM on 12/01/2011

I think Russia has good reason to finger him and Hillary for not following through on the "reset button trip" Now there might be another arms race. Stupid ploy by Obama.

[OBkinobe]

04:33 PM on 12/04/2011

The middle finger is NEVER acceptable Sean hannity, and especially on LIVE TV...now crawl back under your rock at FOX.

[Whistlejackett]

04:54 PM on 12/04/2011

I live in Canada, what is Fox?

[I AM THAT]

08:31 AM on 11/30/2011

Here, fire me too...┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐

[cagog]

05:49 PM on 11/30/2011

You.....are......."AWESOME".

[I AM THAT]

06:16 PM on 11/30/2011

Thanks! What can I say? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯