A news anchor’s job is to report the news with impartiality and accuracy. However, sometimes their words can get them into trouble. Recently, a news anchor was taken off the air for quoting rapper Snoop Dogg during a live broadcast. The incident has been met with mixed reactions, with some calling it a harmless mistake and others accusing the anchor of unprofessionalism. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the story and explore the implications of a news anchor quoting a celebrity during their broadcast.
A news anchor in the US was removed from air after making a racially insensitive remark. Barbie Bassett was discussing rapper Snoop Dogg’s Cali wine range during a live TV broadcast on NBC affiliate WLBT on March 8, when she said “Fo shizzle, my nizzle”, a saying popularised by Snoop Dogg which features the slang term “nizzle”. The term is a shortened form of a highly offensive racial slur. The incident sparked online fury and Bassett is no longer listed as a member of the station’s team on its website.
While the station did not comment on the situation, its regional vice president and general manager, Ted Fortenberry, issued a statement saying, “As I am sure you can understand, WLBT is unable to comment on personnel matters.” In response to the news, high-profile American radio host Charlamagne tha God defended Bassett, arguing that she might not have known what the term meant: “She might not even know what ‘nizzle’ means, yo. Come on, like stop. That’s not a reason to fire that woman.”
This was not Bassett’s first controversy. Last October, she referred to a black reporter’s “grandmammy” while on air, prompting Bassett to apologise: “Though not intentional, I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologised to Carmen Poe…Now, I would like to apologise to you. That is not the heart of who I am. And for that, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and I apologise to everyone I have offended.” Bassett said that she would participate in training to better understand the history and experience of different communities.
The incident raises wider questions about the use of racial slang terms, and whether or not they have a place in everyday usage. The term “nizzle” has a highly controversial history, and it is often used in the context of black American English as a playful, self-referential way to talk about racism. However, its historical ties to repression and exclusion mean that it remains highly insensitive and offensive in many contexts.
Language is a complex and evolving system, and it is important to ask why certain words and phrases come to have the meanings they do. It is also important to recognise that language cannot be used in a vacuum, and that the context in which it is used has a significant impact on its potential offensiveness. While policy makers and institutions cannot legislate for every potential use or interpretation of language, it is essential that they remain sensitive to the ways in which language can be used to hurt and exclude, and that they take steps to address these issues where necessary.
The use of racial terms like “nizzle” is highly problematic, and it is likely that many people are not aware of their full meaning and history. However, ignorance is not an excuse, and it is up to individuals to educate themselves on the effect that their language can have on others. While it may seem harmless to use slang terms or colloquial expressions, it is important to think carefully about the context in which they are used, and to consider the potential impact they might have on different groups of people.
Ultimately, we all have a responsibility to be aware of the complex nature of language and the effects it can have on others. Whether we are writing news reports or chatting with friends, we need to pay close attention to how our words might be received, and to act with sensitivity and care towards those around us. Only then can we hope to build a society that is truly inclusive and respectful to all.
In summary, the recent incident involving a news anchor being taken off air for quoting Snoop Dogg during a live broadcast has sparked discussions about censorship, freedom of speech, and the line between professionalism and personal expression. While some argue for strict adherence to ethical standards in journalism, others believe that a little bit of humor and personality can make news reporting more engaging for audiences. Ultimately, it is up to individual news organizations and their editorial boards to decide where they draw the line between responsible reporting and entertainment. As always, it is important for journalists to consider the impact of their words on their audience and uphold the values of their profession.
