NZealand TV host resigns after mocking Indian name

[n2doc]

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A New Zealand public television host resigned Sunday after his mocking of an Indian official's name sparked a diplomatic protest of racism.

Controversial presenter Paul Henry left his post at state broadcaster Television New Zealand over his mocking of the name of New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Her surname means "one who has received religious initiation" and it can be kept only by Brahmins, the highest, priestly caste among Indians. To an untrained ear, however, its pronunciation is similar to English profanity.

On his "Breakfast" show two weeks ago, Henry also called Dikshit's name "so appropriate because she's Indian."

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101010/ap_on_en_tv/as_new_zealand_india_insulting_remarks

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Why did NZ public TV provide a soapbox for a 'controversial' talking head anyway?

Perhaps I'm being naive, but I would expect a more 'neutral' stance coming from state-owned media - not jackasses trying to emulate shock-jock American-style RW hate radio.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Paul Henry - meet Rick Sanchez...

Maybe they can start a support group for the stupid?

[whyverne]

3. Dikshit, hee hee hee. n/t

[Ian David]

4. It was the "because she's Indian" part that did it, is my guess.

If he'd said, "so appropriate because she's Liberal (or Conservative)," it might have barely squeaked by.