US: Fox News anchor suspended for posting homophobic slur on Facebook
After posting a comment which was heavily criticised for being homophobic, a Fox News anchor has been suspended, and issued an apology on the matter.
Earlier this week, Tricia Macke, a news anchor for Fox19 in Cincinnati, Ohio, had posted a comment on her Facebook page about openly gay MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, in which she called her “an angry young man,” reported PerezHilton.
The WXIX station management issued a statement, which also included an apology from Ms Macke. It said:
“We have received several expressions of concerns about a recent Facebook posting by FOX19 Anchor Tricia Macke on her personal Facebook page.
“Tricia’s response is provided below and is also posted on her personal Facebook page. We also apologise to anyone who may have been offended by her comments.”
The apology from the news anchor, Ms Macke, followed:
“I recently posted comments on my personal Facebook page regarding cable news anchor Rachel Maddow which were insensitive and inappropriate.
“I apologise to Ms Maddow and any others who may have been offended by my comments, as they do not reflect my firm beliefs in individual and equal rights, and they certainly do not represent the opinions or position of my employer WXIX-TV.”
GLAAD had called for Ms Macke to be punished for her comments at the time. She reportedly said “I knew what I was saying”, but also conceded “You are right. I’m sorry, I should’ve said antagonistic,” when faced with negative comments.
