Newstalk ZB has issued an apology to TVNZ’s Alison Mau after a host used a homophobic slur on air on Friday.
Long serving late night host and newsreader Bruce Russell was discussing TV ONE’s new 7pm show Seven Sharp which will be hosted by Mau as well as journalist and former Tonight presenter Greg Boyed and comedian Jesse Mulligan.
Russell asked listeners "Is it okay for this programme to be populated by a dyke and a clown? Is that what you want to see at seven o'clock on your television screen?" making reference to Mau, and Mulligan.
Angry listeners began voicing their disgust at the comments instantly with phone calls to the station as well as tweets to NewstalkZB from listeners displeased with Russell's choice of words.
Russell made an on-air apology later in the show saying "I was trying to be funny. It didn't work, I apologise and, once again, I withdraw that comment."
Mau later tweeted “Come now nice people. He's only off the graveyard shift cos the grown-ups are on hols.. let's not legitimise anything this guy says.”
Her partner Karleen Edmonds also tweeted “Um @newstalkZB homophobic much? Not cool re #sevensharp comment. #dinosaurage”
Radio Network general manager of talk Dallas Gurney told the Herald on Sunday that he had apologised on behalf of the station to Alison Mau and TVNZ and that the apology had been accepted also adding that "Bruce is a good person. It's the nature of live radio that hosts sometimes say things they later regret."
Russell will return to his late night role next week.
3 News
source: newshub archive
