When the media/journalist cross the line and disrespect an audience: ESPN raises the bar demonstrating professionalism
UPDATE: The National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA-US.com) has accepted Bonnie Bernstein's apology, and the apology of the producers of the Mike & Mike show and ESPN, who all acknowledged that the reference to the Palestinian suicide bombers was out of context and inappropriate. In fairness to Ms. Bernstein, while she referenced the stereotype, we are satisfied she was not advocating it. Her error was to use the stereotype to make another, unrelated point. We recognize that as an example of "innocent construction" and believe that Ms. Bernstein did not intend to defame all Palestinians. She did not hesitate to acknowledge the inappropriateness of the comparison. NAAJA
Overview of issue below
What is racism? Someone's mean comment that embraces a stereotype? A slip of the tongue? An innocent comment that an audiences takes as racist? Intent? Of all those, "intent" must be the most difficult to assess. But response in the face of controversy can sometimes define intent better than anything.
Take the Don Imus incident -- again. He makes what audiences took to be racially insensitive remarks about African Americans -- he was the one who injected race into the most recent controversy regarding suspended Dallas Cowboy's cornerback Adam Jones' run-ins with the law. When Imus' team was discussing Jones' problems, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones -- known as Pacman -- is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."
Imus, under siege for his clearly racist remarks before about the women's Rutger's Basketball team, wiggled out of the controversy later asserting that his comments were misconstrued. "What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason." Imus said Tuesday.
Well, those were words Imus could have said had he really meant that when the issue came up. He didn't.
I don't trust Imus' intent in this latest incident. He has a history of making racist remarks and a radio staff that joins in when it suits them and when they can get away with it.
Now, turn to ESPN and its Chicago affiliate radio show "Mike and Mike' Hosted by Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg who were talking with veteran sports reporter Bonnie Bernstein about how NBA hopefuls are taught to pursue the NBA as their goal, and then compared that to how Palestinians teach their children to become suicide bombers. Let's skip the politics, for now.
Many mostly Arab, Muslim and Palestinians who heard the broadcast Wednesday morning reacted with anger believing Bernstein had slandered Palestinians. Bernstein was cautious in making the remark saying she didn't mean to imply that NBA hopefuls were Palestinian suicide bombers. She also cited the New York Times -- not the most objective media when it comes to the Middle East. They're notorious for one-sided, often anti-Arab media reports.
Anyway, people were offended. They were hurt by the comparison. The National Arab American Journalists Association received some 30 emails and several calls complaining about the comments made on the nationally syndicated show in Chicago.
The comments had the three aspects of a typically racist commentary: it depicted an entire people in a heinous and negative manner or stereotype; it did so in a passing manner which often is the most hurtful form of racism, when it is presented so casually and innocently; and there was no one from the agrieved community on the program to challenge the comment.
We turned it over to NAAJA Media Watch and we asked that ESPN and Bernstein clarify their remarks and apologize.
Within hours that is exactly what they did. They did it genuinely and with sincerity. They didn't try to make excuses or to engage in a political debate about whether or not the comment was or wasn't offensive.
They apologized immediately recognizing that whether it was or wasn't the intent of racism, that a segment of the audience -- one that has been the target of much mainstream American animosity -- was offended.
I wish all media acted that responsibly. In fact, Bernstein took the added step of recording an apology that was distributed to NAAJA and then distributed to its members.
Here's Bernstein's audio link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/player?context=audio&id=3460824
I give ESPN, the Mike and Mike show and Bernstein credit for recognizing that comments they made entered a highly volatile public arena of debate and racism that caused harm to a large group of people. They responded the way all journalists should respond and acknowledged that the context was not intended. They showed professionalism. They received our grief and complaints when the comments were made. And now, they desevre our respect.
I sure wish Don Imus could learn a few of these very simply basic lessons. Maybe he should hire Bernstein as a consultant to tell him how to act like a dignified member of the human race. Don Imus really needs that.
Ray Hanania
www.NAAJA-US.com
www.TheMediaOasis.com
Here's the link to the emails and notes that went back and forth:
http://arabjournalists.blogspot.com/2008/06/arab-american-protests-espn-chicago.html
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