Don Imus fired after racist row · 2007-04-13 13:55
US television and radio network CBS has fired broadcaster Don Imus after an explosive row over his use of racist language on his radio programme, the BBC informed.
Mr Imus called the mostly black members of the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos”, where “ho” is slang for prostitute and “nappy-headed” is a derogatory term for the hair of many black people.
Several companies, including American Express, Procter and Gamble, and General Motors, had cancelled their advertising contracts on his Morning programme and high-profile guests said they would no longer appear.
CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said he had been disgusted by the comments.
“From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and repulsed by the statements that were made on our air,” he said.
CBS said the cancellation of Mr Imus’ contract, which follows a two-week suspension, would take place with immediate effect.
Mr Imus has already made several public apologies, including on his Imus in the Morning show on Monday, when he said he was “a good person who said something bad”.
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