Sharpton Just Says No to ‘Roboho’
Rev. Al Sharpton lashed out at TMZ.com about the use of the term “Roboho” used to describe Beyonce’s BET performance outfit. Sharpton, known recently for his hand in dealing the fatal blow to Don Imus’ long-standing career at WNBC, now has TMZ in the crosshairs.
“Calling any woman a “ho” is demeaning and abusive and it should not be tolerated on any level,” said Sharpton.
Sharpton criticized TMZ for the word’s use, calling for the pop news site to be “denounced by the entire community for glorifying the continued oppression of women with this derogatory term.” Sharpton, who leads the National Action Network, has been in the forefront of protesting the word “ho” and plans to engage in a 20-city tour on August 7th to protest alleged derogatory slang words in the media.
TMZ fired back, defending the word as a description of the outfit and not a direct remark towards Beyonce. They also point to their notoriety for “calling into question many celebs for wearing racy outfits, regardless of their race.”
An Icon Departs
In a move that leaves big shoes to fill at ESPN, icon Dan Patrick announced that he will leave the network to pursue other interests. His final radio broadcast is set for August 17th.
Patrick, an 18-year veteran of ESPN, began his career as a rock jock in Dayton, Ohio. Later a sportscaster for CNN, Patrick eventually joined ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ in 1989. In 1999, Patrick picked up the host chair for an ESPN radio show, and contributed to ESPN the Magazine.
While no official word has been given as to the reasons for this sudden departure, rumors are flying that he has been approached by those at “The Price Is Right”. Host Bob Barker recently announced his retirement from the long-running television game show earlier this year. Others cite the possibility of Patrick joining brother Bill Pugh, programmer at Sporting News Radio.
More Sat-Cast Merger Misery
XM & Sirius find yet another hurdle in their path to an eventual merger. The National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) has thrown its hat into the ring to protest the pending deal. Backing many of the original concerns filed to the FCC by the NAB, the NABOB sees the merger as a potential “monopoly” in the making.
At issue, the failure of the two sat-casters to meet license requirements set in 1997. Specifically, neither company has produced a receiver capable of picking up both services. According to the NABOB, the two companies have also failed to convince anyone that the public interest will be served by the merger. Finally, concerns have been expressed over a consolidation and reduction of air time for all viewpoints.
As to whether the move further hinders the deal, that’s up to the Department of Justice. According to former FCC chairman Dick Wiley, a senior partner in Wiley Rein LLP, an up or down ruling on the merger may not come until the fall of this year.