American Journalism Review, WP editorial: Time for big-name journalists, politicos to abandon Imus

[DeepModem Mom]

American Journalism Review: April/May 2007
Shunning the I-Man
Online Exclusive: It’s time for all those big-name journalists and politicos to abandon “Imus in the Morning.”
By Rem Rieder

....That Imus would say something like this (about the Rutgers women's basketball team) is about as surprising as Britney Spears busting out of rehab. He has, as they say, a history. And while insulting African Americans is nothing new for the I-Man — he once called Gwen Ifill, now host of PBS' "Washington Week," a "cleaning lady" — he's pretty much an equal opportunity jerk.

His latest paroxysm was greeted, quite rightly, with outrage and calls for his ouster. But it looks like Imus will skate yet again. After first dismissing the contretemps as no big deal, he wisely did a one-eighty and went into damage-control mode, apologizing for an "insensitive and ill-conceived remark."

WFAN-AM, where Imus' nationally syndicated show originates, and MSNBC, which simulcasts the program, both distanced themselves from the trash talker's racist comments but gave no hint that any disciplinary action was in the works (beyond a two-week suspension).

That's where those big-time regulars come in.

It's time for (Tim) Russert and (Newsweek's Evan) Thomas and NBC's Andrea Mitchell and "Hardball" impresario Chris Matthews and Sens. McCain and Joseph Biden and Joe Lieberman — and many, many more — to, in the immortal words of Nancy Reagan, just say no.
By continuing to appear on a program hosted by a guy who makes comments this far beyond the pale, Russert & Co. are giving their tacit approval. They give Imus a protective cover of legitimacy. It's as if they're all members of the same club. Imus may be naughty, but, hey, he's just being Imus.

Well, naughty is fine. Ugly, racially tinged comments are not. And this isn't a one-shot episode. This is a career-long pattern....

http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4324

***

Washington Post editorial: Shocked Jock
Don Imus takes his lumps. He deserves every one of them.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007; Page A16

....Why would anyone appear on this program and legitimize this kind of lowest-common-denominator banter? "Imus in the Morning" has been a must-do on the media circuit for politicians trying to prove they have the common touch, authors touting new books, and journalists, including some from The Post Co. No doubt the millions of people who watch and listen to Mr. Imus every morning are a big draw for them. The show is broadcast on WFAN-AM in New York, is distributed by CBS radio to 70 stations around the country and is simulcast on cable television by MSNBC....

MSNBC and CBS Radio have suspended broadcasts of "Imus in the Morning" for two weeks, starting next Monday. Whether Mr. Imus stays on the air at WFAN is a matter for his employers and his conscience. But those who bask in the glow of his radio show ought to consider whether they should continue doing so. After all, you're judged by the company you keep.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/09/AR2007040901105.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. so WHERE was this *call to arms* when Coulter said faggot?

Or Rush made fun of Michael J. Fox?

Imus was wrong, and I think he should be fired. But where was the outrage when others said equally heinous things about others?