Outraged Sparked After Runner Butt-Slapped Reporter On-Air

The facial expression says it all. What happened was not OK.

During a race in Savannah, Georgia on Saturday, journalist Alex Bozarjian was reporting live on-air and was clearly enjoying the experience, including a runner who passed wearing a gorilla suit. Until someone ran by and slapped her on the butt, that is.

A post to Twitter shows the live broadcast when a man crosses the lane full of runners to purposefully smack the unknowing reporter on her bottom.

Let me be clear: This is not OK. As someone in the broadcasting industry who is often on location in public, there is never a good reason for someone to put their hands on another person without permission.

Many might say or believe that 'it was just an innocent smack on the butt.' But it's not. In the age of #MeToo, it should go without saying that unwanted touching or advances from someone will not be tolerated. But apparently not everyone has received the memo.

Of course, like the internet does, the man was identified in short order. He is being shamed on social media, and will likely be facing assault charges soon enough.

Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks that touching someone is an innocent and playful act. It's not. Period.