WMC Demands Apology From O'Reilly For Helen Thomas Insult

We urge you to join The Women's Media Center in sending an official complaint to Fox News about Bill O'Reilly. His sexist and ageist comments about legendary reporter Helen Thomas require an apology.

On Monday night's show (February 9th, 2009) O'Reilly compared Ms. Thomas to "the Wicked Witch of the East" along with disparaging remarks about her appearance and age. Guest Bernard Goldberg added his own insult, and even Alan Colmes, while attempting to defend her, seemed to be having too much fun. This kind of verbal degradation in the guise of humor is unacceptable, and as Media Matters has documented, it's part of an on-going pattern where he's targeted Thomas.

Watch:

It was an attack no woman deserves--including this accomplished, award winning journalist working in the White House press corps, where women are underrepresented. The Women's Media Center demonstrated in its "Sexism Sells But We're Not Buying It" viral campaign that sexist remarks went unchecked by networks during the primary season. Now, as then, the WMC demands accountability.

An immediate public apology is required.

Click here to join the WMC in demanding an on-air apology from Bill O'Reilly.

Comments

[VACommonSense]

The best response would be for Helen Thomas to do a laundry list of all of lies that eminate from O'Reilly's mouth. Point by point, with the actual facts listed in contrast.

I give credit to this approach from an old fairy tale (which I don't remember the name of), where after the old lion is made fun of, the lion roars, and says "I may be old, but I am still a lion!"

[canfemlib]

Whether or not he apologizes, I think that it is important for everyone to stand up and say to professionals that they must behave in a way becoming to their profession and their colleagues, or face a public rebuke. If he wants to debate the merits of her work, that's fair. If he wants to behave like a bratty 6 year old, then its time for the naughty chair.

[kps888]

Carol,

BillO will love nothing more than to start an on-air battle with you guys, so take a little advice and just ignore him, which is truly what people like that are afraid of.

He is just such a nothing of a person, who defines himself by the enemies he makes, so don't give him any ammunition. If he disappeared tomorrow, would it make any difference whatsover? No, because blowhards are never in short supply and another one would just pop up like Kleenex.

[tedmore123]

But then Bill-O working as he does for Fox Noise wouldn't know what journalistic integrity is now, would he.

[ramblingjohnny]

Ever heard of Hustler Magazine v. Falwell? I don't like papa bear but you cannot pick and choose on that issue!

[AuntyLib]

I saw the originial O'Reilly broadcast and the show with your representative on it. I say, "Go, Bill!" I'm so fed up with the deference paid to Helen Thomas on the basis of longevity! After living through the decades when things were truly tough for women in the workplace, I'm willing to bet she doesn't need your organization to be thin-skinned on her behalf.

[DontselltheUS]

Helen Thomas is past her prime, but doesn't deserve to be ridiculed.

[Azazel Bedamned]

ya, might as well stand in line.

[qxav949]

Good luck getting that apology.