An Israeli journalist was unintentionally injured while demonstrating a ‘knife-proof’ vest on television.
Reporter Eitam Lachover donned a protective vest, claimed to be resistant to knife attacks, for a segment on Israel’s Channel 1. Unfortunately, the demonstration did not go as intended.
In a 2016 broadcast, the company’s vice president, Yaniv Montakyo, displayed a ‘commando knife’ that was meant to test the vest’s capabilities.
“[The knife] is used by militaries around the world, a very strong knife made of steel,” Montakyo explained.
He then proceeded to show how ‘knife-proof’ the vest was by stabbing Lachover with the knife, assuring, “You have nothing to worry about, we are very confident in our product. This product can protect from knives that are stronger than this one, may I? Don’t be afraid.”
Contrary to expectations, the knife penetrated the vest and injured Lachover.
After stabbing Lachover four times, Montakyo alarmingly remarked, “I missed.”
The journalist suffered a cut on his back that required stitches.
Montakyo explained to Israel’s Channel 2 that the accidental stabbing occurred because he struck an area of the vest without protective material.
Despite Lachover’s injury, the segment was still scheduled to air, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Israel’s state broadcaster at the time.
Lachover later informed his social media followers that he had received stitches but was released from the hospital shortly thereafter.
On Twitter, he posted: “Superficial puncture, some stitches in the back and I was discharged home. Many thanks to everyone who expressed concern!”
This isn’t the only instance of a TV station airing controversial content. In another incident, a news station accidentally broadcasted explicit content during a live segment on a solar eclipse.
RCG media, a Mexican news station, was covering a total solar eclipse in April 2024 when it inadvertently aired a video of someone’s private parts. This occurred after inviting viewers to submit their own eclipse footage.