A BBC Radio presenter has been sacked following a "racist" call to a taxi firm, in which she requested a "non-Asian" driver. Sam Mason, who worked for BBC Bristol, told the operator that "a guy with a turban would freak her daughter out", insisting they send an English driver instead, because her daughter is "not used to Asians".
OK, obviously Mason's "request" is completely absurd. I believe her that it wasn't intended to be racist, but I certainly do think that her comments were ridiculous. What really disgusts me, however, is the sacking. This incident is absolutely NONE of the BBC's business. To sack her for an incident that (unlike the equally ludicrous Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross/Andrew Sachs incident) was not broadcast and did not even take place in BBC premises, is totally unethical. They would have a case if Mason had shown genuine signs of virulent racism, but to actually SACK her over this petty nonsense is a sign of just how far political correctness and Playing the Race Card have infected and poisoned our media institutions.
2 comments:
Next they'll be sacking women for refusing sex with Asian men. There is a distinct whiff of totalitarianism about this case, she can have anyone she likes drive her daughter - we used to call it freedom of choice.
She made the call from a BBC phone while she was working and tried to bully the taxi firm into doing what she asked because she 'work[ed] for the BBC'.
She doesn't any more, much to the relief of many Radio Bristol listeners.
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