Fox News Lashes Out At Media Criticism Of O'Reilly's Racially Charged Comments

Media Matters:

During the September 25 edition of CNN Newsroom, co-host Don Lemon and anchor Rick Sanchez discussed the recent statement by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly that he was surprised "there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant [in Harlem] and any other restaurant in New York City ... even though [Sylvia's is] run by blacks." Sanchez stated that "every African-American that I've talked to since this -- and my God, have I gotten a bevy of phone calls on this, inside and outside the business -- people are actually offended. They ... call this a subtle type of racism. It's not the 'hit you over the head with a hammer' type; it's the 'velvet glove' type." He then said that, during a September 24 phone conversation, O'Reilly "didn't want any part of it" and "was screaming the entire conversation," adding, "He was not happy with me." As Media Matters for America noted, on the September 24 edition of CNN's Out in the Open, Sanchez also recounted his "animated" conversation with O'Reilly, saying that O'Reilly denied any "racial intent" in his comments and described the story as "a hatchet job by Media Matters."

Later in the September 25 segment, Lemon said: "Rick, we got a statement from Fox News, and here's what it says: 'This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad.' " According to the on-screen graphic, the statement was from Bill Shine, Fox News' senior vice president of programming.

Read the whole story: Media Matters

Comments

[pece]

Every dog has its day anBill is of no exception. I just love it when people like bill try to explain that they are not racsit. Oh and pretty soon he will say one his good freind is black, if hasnt already said it........ Most blacks like myself are not as stupid as you think we read and understand all that racist double talk. I am so glad he is exposed,. thanks cnn.

[Smirk]

Even Chimpy would recognize Billo's words as--at the very, very least--an example of the "soft racism" of "lowered expectatio­ns."

[dryfactoidobotanoid]

"They ... call this a subtle type of racism. It's not the 'hit you over the head with a hammer' type; it's the 'velvet glove' type."

velvet glove, eh? see, Sanchez is calling O'Reilly a fag. it's not 'hit you over the head with a hammer' homophobia, mind you.

[Quaoar]

'This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings. It's sad.'

So much for "fair and balanced". Now that Fox is openly right-wing rather than hiding behind the "fair and balanced" moniker they shouldn't be pretending any longer. They should wear their swastikas openly and proudly.