Boston Radio Talk Show Host Suspended for his Comments about Mexicans
May 5, 2009
According to the Boston Globe, "Jay Severin, the fiery right wing talk show host on Boston's WTKK-FM radio station, was suspended yesterday after calling Mexican immigrants "criminaliens," "primitives," "leeches," and exporters of "women with mustaches and VD," among other incendiary comments." Responding to the episode, Amparo Anguiano, deputy consul of the Consulate General of Mexico in Boston, labeled Severin's comments "hatemongering." Anguiano noted, "It's not the first time immigrants have been denigrated unfoundedly for being dirty, uncivilized, and bringing in diseases. There's nothing more to say, other than these statements spread unfounded biases, hate, and prejudice."
Discussion Questions:
- What is the line between free speech and hate speech?
- Should people in the media be held to different standards of speech than ordinary citizens?
- The article noted that this was not the first time Severin used incendiary language. Why would people listen to his show? Why is this allowed?
- What is the responsibility of citizens who heard the broadcast? How can they respond?
- What is the responsibility of the radio station when a host uses hateful language? What would be a just response?
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