‘They don’t want us to focus on this’

‘They don’t want us to focus on this’

A CBS Austin reporter was seen on a live 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 — and then refusing to go together with the instruction on digital camera.

Vinny Martorano was outdoors the Texas Capitol on Saturday overlaying dueling demonstrations in 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 display 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 again, persevering with his coverage.

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 told 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 obtained reshared by conservative social media accounts.

The alternate was seen as proof the media was attempting to bury a present of help for President Trump and the army action.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran:

The video is split-screen, exhibiting a large crowd on the left and Martorano, wearing a navy blazer, on the proper as he seems to put together for a live 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 digital camera educated on a pro-Trump rally that erupted after news 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 action.”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 embody 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 former crown prince of Iran.

Sinclair runs dozens of local associates round the nation. The Post has sought remark from the station.

President Donald Trump announced coordinated US strikes on Iran carried out alongside Israel, concentrating on key army and safety 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 through Getty Images

Celebrations broke out in the wake of news that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed during the opening section of large-scale, coordinated US–Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday.

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