MSNBC Pulls Plug On Don Imus
Cable Network Responds To Growing Outrage By Dropping Simulcast Of "Imus In The Morning"
-
Play CBS Video Video MSNBC Drops Imus Simulcast In response to growing outrage over comments Don Imus made on his radio show, MSNBC said it will drop its simulcast of "Imus in the Morning." Anthony Mason has the latest.
-
Video Rutgers Women Vs. Imus Members of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball team describe how their "moment was taken away" by the comments made by radio host Don Imus. Nancy Cordes reports.
-
Video Barack Obama On Don Imus Only On The Web: Illinois Sen. Barack Obama talks with Jim Axelrod about radio personality Don Imus' controversial comments. Obama says he won't appear on Imus' show in the future.
-
-
Don Imus at work (MSNBC)
-
Rutgers basketball players listen as coach C. Vivian Stringer speaks at a news conference, April 10, 2007. From left are Rashidat Junaid, Myia McCurdy, Brittany Ray, Epiphanny Prince and Dee Dee Jernigan, all freshmen. (AP)
-
Then-NAACP President and CEO Bruce Gordon arrives at the 38th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on March 2, 2007. (AP)
-
Rutgers team captain Essence Carson, April 10, 2007. (CBS)
-
Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer, April 10, 2007. (CBS)
-
-
Interactive Civil Rights In America A look back at the key people and events of the civil rights movement.
"This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees," NBC News said in a statement.
The announcement also was made on air.
Imus triggered the uproar on his April 4 show when he referred to the mostly black Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." His comments have been widely denounced by civil rights and women's groups.
CBS Radio issued a statement saying it is sticking to its decision to suspend "Imus in the Morning" for two weeks, reports CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason.
But Bruce Gordon, a director of CBS Corp., and the former head of the NAACP, said Wednesday the broadcasting company needs a "zero tolerance policy" on racism and that Imus should be fired for his remarks.
The program originates from New York radio station WFAN and is syndicated to other radio stations by CBS Radio. Both, like CBSNews.com, are part of CBS Corp.
"He's crossed the line, he's violated our community," Gordon said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He needs to face the consequence of that violation."
Gordon, a longtime telecommunications executive, stepped down in March after 19 months as head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, one of the foremost U.S. civil rights organizations.
He said he had spoken with CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves and hoped the company, after reviewing the situation, would "make the smart decision" by firing Imus rather than letting him return to the air at the end of a two-week suspension that was announced Tuesday.
A CBS spokesman, Dana McClintock, declined comment on the remarks by Gordon, who is one of at least two minorities on the 13-member board.
Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer said Wednesday night she was surprised at MSNBC’s announcement, but heartened that the public had reacted so strongly against his comments.
Stringer, though, said the firing would not change plans for the players to meet with Imus in the future to discuss the comments.
“At no time were we trying to make a decision about whether he should be hired or fired,” Stringer said in a telephone interview.
MSNBC's decision to drop the simulcast came after a growing list of sponsors — including American Express Co., Staples Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., and General Motors Corp. — said they were pulling ads from Imus' show for the indefinite future.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More From U.S.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
... - 23
- next
See all 449 CommentsWhat Don Imus said was not funny, but to loose his job?
We are now in a society of reverse discrimination.
Mr.Imus...On to a Bigger and Better place than CBS
Sharpton and Jackson have never been punished nor have they ever apologized for calling people names and for the violence they bring to our communities! NO MORE!! Call and write congress and the media. Start educating people in your communities. Get all involved!
I am deeply disappointed in CBS and MSNBC! Seems we have reached a place where we have placed one race on a pedestle simply because of thier color. Take a black man and a white man and the black man will almost always get preference no maatter what the other circumstances are. That is not right.
Don Imus has admitted his wrong, and apologized profusely. Where is the forgiveness? And who amoung us is perfect and has never mad a mistake or do we now think we are good enough to judge who is worthy of forgiveness?
I wonder, what would happen if we had a White entertainment channel.....
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
... - 23
- next
See all 449 Comments