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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK
JOURNALISTS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF DON IMUS OF MSNBC-TV FOR RACIST REMARKS ABOUT RUTGERS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
TEAM (MaximsNews.com, UN)
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NABJ
is calling for the immediate removal of
Imus and his WFAN producer, Bernard
McGuirk -- who referred to the players
as "jigaboos and wannabees" --
by Monday morning.
The
association also questions if sponsors
of his show -- which include the Simon
& Schuster and Random House -- will
want to continue to be associated with
the program.
"What
he said has deeply hurt too many people
-- black and white, male and
female," said Bryan Monroe, NABJ
president.
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"His
so-called apology comes two days after the fact, and it is too little, too
late."
Imus
has had a history of racial insults on his program, having called award-winning
journalist Gwen Ifill of PBS a "cleaning lady" and referring to
columnist William Rhoden of the New York Times as "a quota hire."
"As
journalists, we firmly believe in the First Amendment and free speech,"
Monroe
added. "But free speech comes with responsibility, and sometimes with
consequences. His removal must be that consequence."
"These
were nothing but hard working student athletes — young women, just trying to
do their best. After 40 years on the air, it is clear that he has lost touch
with all that is decent and honorable in
America
," said
Monroe
. "It is time for him to go."
On
his show at 6 a.m. Friday morning, Imus read the following prepared statement:
"Want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived
remark we made the other morning regarding the
Rutgers
women's basketball team. It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand
why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, and
we are sorry."
MSNBC
also issued the following statement: "While simulcast by MSNBC, 'Imus in
the Morning' is not a production of the cable network and is produced by WFAN
Radio. As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC. We
regret that his remarks were aired on MSNBC and apologize for these offensive
comments."
NABJ
appreciates the swift action from NBC and its cable channel MSNBC in condemning
his remarks, and now hopes the network will continue to do the right thing and
separate itself permanently from the incendiary host.
For
more information from the National Association of Black Journalists, contact: kpalmer@nabj.org
~~~~~
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