CNN NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE FOR ITS HOMOPHOBIA

CNN determined not to rebroadcast a segment of “Larry King Live” in which Bill Maher speculated on the sexual orientation of Ken Mehlman, Chair of the Republican National Committee, and deleted Mr. Maher’s statement from the published transcript.

A CNN and “Larry King Live” spokeswoman stated in an email, “When someone says something potentially ‘defamatory’ that we don’t expect them to say live on the air, we typically won’t be liable for it. However, if we continue to rebroadcast it, without any reporting of our own or any comment from the subject of the ‘accusation,’ we could be legally responsible for what that guest said.”

CNN needs to apologize to the gay community. Being accurately or inaccurately called gay is neither ‘defamatory’ nor an ‘accusation’ any more than is being called Jewish, Irish or Hispanic. CNN’s official statement is homophobic. As a global news organization, CNN needs to repudiate the statement and apologize.

Malcolm Lazin
Executive Director
Equality Forum
www.equalityforum.com
(215) 732-7375

ABOUT EQUALITY FORUM

Equality Forum is a national and international nonprofit, 501(c)(3) GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum develops high-impact educational content through documentary films, history projects, innovative initiatives and the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum. www.equalityforum.com

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