WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association
of Black Journalists urges Citadel Broadcasting chief executive Farid
Suleman and Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes to halt negotiations to return
former radio personality Don Imus to the radio and television broadcast
airwaves.
Recent reports that Imus is in informal talks with Fox Chairman Roger
Ailes and is finalizing contractual details with Citadel Broadcasting are
unimaginable.
Imus was fired last April after the shock jock called members of the
Rutgers women's basketball team 'nappy-headed ho's.'
"NABJ remains outraged after the racially inflammatory insults made by
Don Imus last spring. He used his free speech to broadcast hate speech. To
put him back on the air now makes light of his serious and offensive racial
remarks that are still ringing in the ears of people all over this
country," said Barbara Ciara, NABJ president.
"It seems inconceivable that less than a year after Imus was dismissed
from CBS Radio and MSNBC for his vicious insults upon the Rutger's
basketball team, that Citadel Broadcasting and Fox News would consider
putting him back on the air," said Ernie Suggs, NABJ's Vice President of
Print.
NABJ questions why any responsible broadcast company would give Imus a
forum to continue his history of racial insults on his program. Citadel
Broadcasting owns 243 radio stations including ABC Radio Networks, and
powerhouse radio station WABC in New York.
"It is our hope that Citadel Broadcasting and Fox News will put decency
and good broadcast practices ahead of a dysfunctional alliance," Ciara
added.
NABJ appreciates the swift action from CBS radio, NBC and its cable
channel MSNBC in condemning Imus' remarks and removing him from the
airwaves six months ago, and now hopes Citadel Broadcasting and Fox will do
the right thing and break off negotiations with the incendiary host.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the
largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, with nearly
4,000 members, and provides educational, career development and support to
black journalists worldwide.
SOURCE The National Association of Black Journalists
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Related links:
http://www.nabj.org/
CONTACT:
Kristin Palmer, Communications Manager,
+1-301-445-7100 Ext. 107, kpalmer@nabj.org, for The National
Association of Black Journalists
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