Media Research Center Accuses CBS of “Religious Bigotry”
Media Research Center Accuses CBS of “Religious Bigotry”
By Fred Jackson
AFR News
July 13, 2000
(AgapePress) – A media watchdog group is accusing the CBS television network of condoning religious bigotry. The charge is made this morning by way of an open letter published in two major newspapers.
In its open letter, the Media Research Center makes reference to the now-famous Bryant Gumbel incident on CBS’s The Early Show in late June. After interviewing Robert Knight of the Family Research Council about the Supreme Court decision on the Boy Scouts, Gumbel was caught in an accidental camera shot mouthing what appears to have been a swear word, followed by the word “idiot.”
Pro-family groups who have viewed the tape say there is no question that Gumbel was referring to Knight. Despite requests for a simple apology, CBS refuses to admit any wrongdoing.
In his open letter, Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center says “the double standard here is staggering.” He says while racial bigotry on CBS is dealt with unequivocally, religious bigotry on CBS is met with a “disinterested yawn.” CNSNews reports that back in 1988, when Jimmy “the Greek” Snyder made a an apparent racist remark during a TV interview, CBS fired him, even after he apologized.
Bozell’s letter appears in today’s issues of the New York Post and The Washington Times.