What New Zealand can learn from USA — Paul Henry case

Action: A few days back CNN host Rick Sanchez called Comedy Central host Jon Stewart a "bigot", that Jews don’t face discrimination and that media industry was run by Jews.

Immediate Reaction: "Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company," the CNN statement read. "We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well."

Radio talk show host Laura Schlessinger — over 25 years of experience and 9 million listeners — used the n-word several times in her program. There was a storm of protest and a week later she ended her radio show.

Actor Mel Gibson’s rants against Jews and African-Americans have made him unemployable — not that he needs the money.

Jimmmy the Greek was immediately fired by CBS for his comments on the athletic prowess of African-Americans.

But take the case of Kiwi anchor Paul Henry:

While interviewing New Zealand Prime Minister John Key yesterday, Henry had asked whether Governor General Satyanand was a New Zealander or not.

"Is he even a New Zealander?" Henry asked Key.

"Are you going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New Zealander this time… Are we going to go for someone who is more like a New Zealander?" Henry quizzed the Prime Minister.

And all he gets is a slap on the wrist. He has been suspended for 13 days.

I have a lot of admiration for New Zealand. If the people who run TVNZ don’t have the guts to do the right thing and make the suspension permanent, I hope that the advertisers make their displeasure clear. And the people of New Zealand — who I assume don’t want a TV anchor who sounds like a bigot — can do their part by talking with their TV remote.

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