"This is completely unacceptable and contrary to all standards of broadcasting," the statement read. The organization's statement said it viewed a recording of the incident provided by a viewer. (RABJ) also issued a statement Sunday condemning the use of the racial slur on air. The Rochester Association of Black Journalists "It took the station nearly two days to apologize, and only after the station was shamed into doing so by a backlash on social media," the statement read. The mayor and city council called for Kappell's termination and for an examination of WHEC's response to the incident. There must be real consequences for the news personality involved and also for the management team that failed to immediately apologize and address the slur." "It is beyond unacceptable that this occurred. during its Friday News broadcast," the statement read. "It is wrong, hurtful and infuriating that WHEC Channel 10 broadcast a racial slur in reference to Dr. Warren and the city council to release a statement If you did feel that it hurt you in any way, I sincerely apologize," he said.Ĭlips of Kappell using the racial slur made the rounds on social media over the weekend, prompting Rochester Mayor Lovely A. That was not a word I said, I promise you that. "I had no idea what some people could have interpreted that as and I know some people did interpret that the wrong way. Kappell said as soon as he heard the mispronunciation he "put emphasis on 'King' and moved on." I had no idea the way it came across to many people," he said in a video posted to Facebook Monday night. In my mind I knew I mispronounced, but there was no malice. So fast to the point where I jumbled a couple of words. If you watch me regularly you know that I tend to contain a lot of information in my weather cast, which forces me to speak fast and unfortunately I spoke a little too fast when I was referencing Dr. "What happened on Friday, to me, it's a simple misunderstanding. Kappell said his use of the slur was a mistake caused by speaking too quickly. In a video viewed by CNN, Kappell says "King" immediately after using the slur and continues with the broadcast. 's Friday evening broadcast, Jeremy Kappell said "Martin Luther Coon Park," when referring to a downtown Rochester park named after slain civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. News10NBC will focus on its mission to serve the greater Rochester community and move forward accordingly.A television station in Rochester, New York, fired a meteorologist Sunday after he used a racial slur on air. We leave the hate-filled back-and-forth to others. We believe we have done what is right for our station and our community, and will continue to take a strong stand for our personal and professional values. Since our decision to terminate his employment, this station has been caught in the middle of a vitriolic political debate. There can be no confusion by anyone who works at Hubbard Broadcasting or by anyone in the communities we serve, that this is unacceptable. An utterance such as this, with no immediate apology, regardless of intent, is unacceptable and inexcusable. Kappell clearly voiced a racially derogatory term. The entire team at Hubbard Broadcasting and News10NBC stand behind the decision we made on Sunday afternoon, January 6th, to terminate our contract with meteorologist Jeremy Kappell.ĭuring the previous Friday night broadcast, Mr. Tuesday night, Hubbard Broadcasting released the following statement responding to the controversy. You can see more from our interview with Kappell here. Kappell’s action merited a serious response.” However, if you consider the historical context of the word and how it’s been used for decades as a disrespectful and degrading term for African Americans, I believe Mr. Martin Luther King Jr., intentionally meant to hurt anyone. Clark writes, “I cannot speak on whether Jeremy Kappell, the individual who said the racial slur when referring to Dr.
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