Thursday, March 6, 2014

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2743: Liz Wahl Resigns on air from RT-America ("Russia Today") News Network - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)





Yesterday Liz Wahl, an American news anchor for the RT-America (Russia Today) resigned. Here is the portion of her statement which accompanied her on-air resignation:

“...Last night RT made international headlines when one of our anchors [Abby Martin] went on the air and said Russian intervention in Crimea is wrong. And indeed, as a reporter on this network I face many ethical and moral challenges - especially me personally coming from a family whose grandparents, my grandparents came here as refugees during the Hungarian revolution - ironically to escape the Soviet forces. I have family on the opposite side - on my mother's side - ah, that sees the daily grind of poverty. And I'm very lucky to have grown up here in the United States” 

(She told RT-America's viewers this immediately after a report claiming the new Ukrainian government, the leaders of which help to ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, is made up primarily of neo-Nazis and fascists.)

Ms. Wahl went on to say,  “I’m the daughter of a veteran. My partner is a physician at a military base where he sees every day the first-hand accounts of the ultimate prices that people pay for this country. And that is why personally I cannot be part of a network funded by the Russian Government that whitewashes the actions of Putin. I am proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth and that is why after this newscast I’m resigning.”

During the 0:59 - 1:02 segment (image below), just as she says, " ... Russian Government that whitewashes the actions...", her left eyebrow elevates as Ms. Wahl's left forehead contracts. This is a classic nonverbal display of disbelief (What are some other body language signals of incredulity?).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2742: Vladimir Putin on the Crisis Ukraine - Thin Slicing Levels of Anger - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Negotiation Secret # 67: Incredulous Cluster - Aleksandar Djorovic

Negotiation Secret # 72 & 73: Disgust & Incredulity










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