Sunrise host breaks down on camera over siege tragedy

They say quality journalism involves (a) maintaining an impartial stance on a subject, and (b) avoiding emotional reference in any given story. But sometimes even the best reporters are compelled to cave in.

Channel Seven’s Sunrise host Natalie Barr broke down in tears live on air this morning as she relayed to audiences that she is friends with the brother of one of the victims of yesterday’s siege shootings in Sydney’s Martin Place.

In a shaky demeanour and voice, Barr revealed she knew the brother of 38-year-old Katrina Dawson: “Sandy, who has done some work at Channel Seven,” she said.

After Barr expressed her six degrees of separation to the victim, practically unable to express words clearly through her tears (and indeed getting a little confused with her subject matter), co-host David Koch stepped in to clarify the scenario and references.

Ms Dawson, a lawyer and mother of three, entered the Lindt Café yesterday morning as part of her daily routine. She was one of 17 victims held hostage inside the café for almost 17 hours by gunman Man Haron Monis.

The gunman killed Dawson, while a second victim – café manager Tori Johnson, aged 34 – was also killed, but in the line of fire, with Monis finally shot and killed by police.  Antonino Tati