Journalist interrupts US State Department ISIS briefing hunting Pokemon
Reporter said he didn't manage to get one thanks to the 'bad signal'
A JOURNALIST interrupted a US State Department briefing on ISIS when he was caught hunting Pokemon.
Spokesman John Kirby had been updating reporters about the ongoing efforts to tackle the terror group when he was distracted by a flashing phone in the media huddle.
"You're playing the Pokemon thing right there, aren't you," he asks incredulously.
The seemingly embarrassed reporter mutters: "I'm just keeping an eye on it."
A visibly bemused Kirby resumes the briefing, hurrying through saying the fight "won't be easy" and the department is "clear-eyed about the work" it has to do.
As he shuffled his papers he flashes the reporter a disgruntled look, asking: "Did you get one?"
“No, the signal’s not very good,” the reporter shoots back.
Kirby replies: "I'm sorry about that" before continuing the briefing.”
First released in the US, Australia and New Zealand on July 6 and now available in more than 30 countries, the game has been a global phenomenon. It was rolled out in Japan today – the birthplace of the cartoon creatures.
The augmented reality game allows people to capture the small creatures in public places.
Gamers have been spotted chasing Pokemon on their mobiles into heavy traffic and even around graveyards with reports of some suffering from heat stroke, multiple blisters and even broken bones while playing the game.
