Belgian journalist on non-active after mock basketball players | Abroad

Various Belgian media quote an internal email from VRT director Frederik Delaplace. It states that the penalty of not commenting will be tightened. This happens because of the many criticisms of the broadcaster’s ‘weak response’. Top athletes and politicians, among others, felt that it was not strict enough for Demarez.

“Within public broadcasting, there is no room for discrimination, hatred and slander about how people live,” De Morgen quoted from the email from broadcaster director Delaplace. “We will see in the coming weeks whether and how he can resume work.”

jokes

During a live stream on Facebook, the presenter of the Sporza program joked with other commentators about the orientation of the basketball players, nicknamed The Belgian Cats. Sporza followed the athletes as they arrived. At a time when the commentators were no longer in the picture, they described some of the players as “a man” and “a colossus.” They also joked about the names of athletes.

Demarez expressed regret in a press release on Saturday. “In the euphoria following the tribute to the returned medalists, I made statements in a private conversation away from the studio that seriously crossed the line. I never intended to offend anyone on the basis of gender or orientation. I would therefore like to sincerely apologize to the Belgian Cats and their team and also to anyone who feels offended, addressed or neglected by this,” he wrote.

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