CNN apologizes to Mehdi Hasan, permanently bans conservative commentator over racist attack on TV
CNN has apologized to British-American broadcaster Mehdi Hasan after a conservative commentator on the show suggested he should be killed on live television.
The network removed Ryan Girdusky after he told Hasan, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”
This was in reference to deadly attacks linked to Israel that killed 40 people in Lebanon last month where pagers and walkie-talkies detonated.
Girdusky made the comment during a panel discussion hosted by Abby Phillip about the presidential election and Donald Trump’s controversial Madison Square Garden rally in New York.
Hasan, founder of the media company Zeteo, condemned racist and sexist remarks made by Trump and multiple speakers targeting minority groups.
These included Black Americans, Latinos, and Jews.
During the discussion Hasan noted he is frequently labeled an antisemite due to his support for the Palestinian people.
This prompted Girdusky’s offensive comment about the beeper.
Fellow guests and the host condemned the personal attack live on air, and Phillip issued an on-air apology to Hasan and the audience.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
