Well, was Martin Bashir trying to be funny or just drunk? Was he speaking from his heart?
If he was, he was not politically correct. But he would forever be remembered for those words he said.
--------------------------
The New Paper
08 Aug 2008
Veteran newscaster raises hackles during speech on ethnicity
US TV presenter rapped for 'Asian babes' remark
HE was supposed to give a speech that championed the cause of minority groups.
But instead, British newsman Martin Bashir did the exact opposite by referring to his audience of American journalist as 'Asian babes', making a lewd comment, then shooting a sexually suggestive jibe at his female co-worker, reported the British press.
The 45-year-old broadcast journalist, who became a household name in 1995 by interviewing Princess Diana, had been invited to give a speech at a 25 Jul banquet in Chicago organised by the Asian American Journalists' Association (AAJA).
The topic: tackling the issue of cultural identity and how differences in race and ethnicity should be seen as an asset, not an obstacle, in the industry.
But during his speech, Bashir, who currently works for US network ABC, quipped that he'd 'never been around so many Asian babes in my life'.
He added 'In fact, I'm happy that the podium covers me from the waist down.'
If that wasn't bad enough, he proceeded to make sexually suggestive comments to his ABC colleague JuJu Chang, an Emmy Award-winning correspondent, who was standing nearby, reported the Daily Mail.
Turning his attention to her dress, he told the audience that, like a good speech, it was 'long enough to cover the important parts and short enough to keep you interested'.
Some members of the audience began to boo, while Ms Chang, who is Bashir's co-presenter on ABC's 20/20 news programme, retorted: 'See what I have to put up with?'
The ensuing furore forced Bashir's employer to issue an apology for the comments.
ABC spokesman Jerry Scheider said in a statement: 'This kind of remark has no place in any setting and Martin knows that and is truly sorry for his serious error in judgment.'
Bashir himself also wrote to the AAJA to offer a grovelling apology. 'Upon reflection, it was a tasteless remark that I now bitterly regret,' he wrote.
'I am grateful to you for the opportunity to address those present, and hope that the continuing work of the organisation will not be harmed or undermined by my moment of stupidity.' The apology was also published in the latest issue of the New York magazine.
Chang was forgiving of her colleague, saying that it was a 'ridiculous joke', and that 'he has since apologised to me for his boorishness.'
The president of the AAJA, Jeanne Mariani-Belding, said on Monday: 'I appreciate the point he was trying to make. But could his speech have been in better taste? I would say so.'
Born in South London in 1963 to Pakistani migrants, Bashir rose to fame in the UK with his Panorama interview with Princess Diana, and went on to make a controversial documentary with Michael Jackson, Living with Michael Jackson, for ITV's Tonight in 2003.
Four years ago, he was poached by ABC with a £500,000-a-year deal ($1.35million). After working on ABC's 20/20 current affairs show, he was given the role of co-anchor on the popular Nightline programme.
In June, Bashir revealed he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour but vowed to 'get on with his life'. According to reports, he currently does not need treatment as the tumour is not affecting his well-being.
He now lives in New York with his wife Debbie and their two children.
If he was, he was not politically correct. But he would forever be remembered for those words he said.
--------------------------
The New Paper
08 Aug 2008
Veteran newscaster raises hackles during speech on ethnicity
US TV presenter rapped for 'Asian babes' remark
HE was supposed to give a speech that championed the cause of minority groups.
But instead, British newsman Martin Bashir did the exact opposite by referring to his audience of American journalist as 'Asian babes', making a lewd comment, then shooting a sexually suggestive jibe at his female co-worker, reported the British press.
The 45-year-old broadcast journalist, who became a household name in 1995 by interviewing Princess Diana, had been invited to give a speech at a 25 Jul banquet in Chicago organised by the Asian American Journalists' Association (AAJA).
The topic: tackling the issue of cultural identity and how differences in race and ethnicity should be seen as an asset, not an obstacle, in the industry.
But during his speech, Bashir, who currently works for US network ABC, quipped that he'd 'never been around so many Asian babes in my life'.
He added 'In fact, I'm happy that the podium covers me from the waist down.'
If that wasn't bad enough, he proceeded to make sexually suggestive comments to his ABC colleague JuJu Chang, an Emmy Award-winning correspondent, who was standing nearby, reported the Daily Mail.
Turning his attention to her dress, he told the audience that, like a good speech, it was 'long enough to cover the important parts and short enough to keep you interested'.
Some members of the audience began to boo, while Ms Chang, who is Bashir's co-presenter on ABC's 20/20 news programme, retorted: 'See what I have to put up with?'
The ensuing furore forced Bashir's employer to issue an apology for the comments.
ABC spokesman Jerry Scheider said in a statement: 'This kind of remark has no place in any setting and Martin knows that and is truly sorry for his serious error in judgment.'
Bashir himself also wrote to the AAJA to offer a grovelling apology. 'Upon reflection, it was a tasteless remark that I now bitterly regret,' he wrote.
'I am grateful to you for the opportunity to address those present, and hope that the continuing work of the organisation will not be harmed or undermined by my moment of stupidity.' The apology was also published in the latest issue of the New York magazine.
Chang was forgiving of her colleague, saying that it was a 'ridiculous joke', and that 'he has since apologised to me for his boorishness.'
The president of the AAJA, Jeanne Mariani-Belding, said on Monday: 'I appreciate the point he was trying to make. But could his speech have been in better taste? I would say so.'
Born in South London in 1963 to Pakistani migrants, Bashir rose to fame in the UK with his Panorama interview with Princess Diana, and went on to make a controversial documentary with Michael Jackson, Living with Michael Jackson, for ITV's Tonight in 2003.
Four years ago, he was poached by ABC with a £500,000-a-year deal ($1.35million). After working on ABC's 20/20 current affairs show, he was given the role of co-anchor on the popular Nightline programme.
In June, Bashir revealed he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour but vowed to 'get on with his life'. According to reports, he currently does not need treatment as the tumour is not affecting his well-being.
He now lives in New York with his wife Debbie and their two children.
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