MSNBC, CBS take Imus off air for 2 weeks

POSTED: 1458 GMT (2258 HKT), April 10, 2007

NEW YORK (CNN) -- MSNBC and CBS Radio are suspending Don Imus for two weeks after the radio host described the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos," the networks said Monday. The suspensions start April 16, and MSNBC's "future relationship" with Imus depends on "his ability to live up to his word," according to a statement from NBC News. The cable news channel simulcasts a television version of Imus' radio show."His dedication -- in his words -- to change the discourse on his program moving forward, has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate," the statement said.

(Watch Imus on the Rev. Al Sharpton's show)

Shortly afterward, CBS announced plans to suspend its broadcast of Imus' radio program for the same two weeks.The flap began Wednesday, the day after Rutgers lost the NCAA women's title to Tennessee. Imus told listeners, "That's some rough girls from Rutgers." "Man, they got tattoos," he said. "That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that now." Imus apologized for the remark Friday and repeated the apology Monday, telling listeners, "I'm embarrassed that I did that.""I'm a good person, but I said a bad thing," he said. "But these young women deserve to know that it was not said with malice."(Watch how some say "sorry" isn't enough)

Imus: 'No excuse' for remark

Imus went on civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton's syndicated radio show Monday and said there was "no excuse" for his remark. "I'm not thinking it's a racial insult that's being uttered at somebody at the time. It's in the process of trying to rap and be funny." he said. But he added, "I wish I hadn't said it. I'm sorry I said it." (CNN's Jeanne Moos on the Apology Hall of Fame) For Sharpton, the apology was not enough. He told CNN's "The Situation Room" on Monday, "We want him fired.""He hit a lot of us where we live," he said. "A lot of us that have condemned a lot of the language and gangster rap and a lot of language on the radio and said to kids, 'You have to quit using negative words.' How do we go back to tell our kids to clean up their words when you can call some exemplary young women this, and we say nothing and extract no punishment to protect their integrity and self-esteem?"

The National Association of Black Journalists has called for the veteran "shock jock" to be fired as well. Brian Monroe, the group's president, said Imus and his sidekicks have a long history of making crude racial and sexual comments."The only consequence we can imagine, that suits the words that he said, is for him to hang it up," Monroe said on Sharpton's program.Also Monday, speaking at a demonstration outside NBC's studio in Chicago, Illinois, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Imus' mistake goes beyond an insult. "This was not a slip of lip. This was a point of view," he said. On the Rutgers campus, Imus' words have been met with outrage. University President Richard McCormick called the remarks "disgraceful, disgusting and racist.""[The women's basketball team] represented Rutgers in an exemplary fashion of which we are extraordinarily proud, and then he says that. Why, why, why, why, why?" McCormick said. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine further condemned Imus' words and said, "There is absolutely no excuse for his conduct, and he is right to apologize. Only the Rutgers women's basketball team, however, can decide to accept his apology."The Rutgers women's basketball team is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday morning.

McCain: 'I'm a believer in redemption'But Imus' show continues to draw top-level guests from the world of politics -- and one of those, Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain, said Monday he would continue to appear on the show."I'm a great believer in redemption," the senator from Arizona told reporters in Phoenix. "Whether he needs to do more in order to satisfy the concerns of people like the members of that team, that's something that's between him and them."But syndicated columnist Clarence Page said candidates may need to answer for their appearances on the show, "just as if they belonged to a country club that discriminates."Howard Kurtz, media critic for The Washington Post and host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," said Imus is known for his comedy, but, he said "the problem is ... his comedy too often strays into the offensive."Kurtz, whom Imus once called a "boner-nosed, beanie-wearing Jew boy," said Imus may now understand that his remarks about the Rutgers team crossed the line."Imus should be held accountable for some of these offensive things that he says, but there is also a good side to Don Imus, and I don't think that should be completely obliterated in all of this chest thumping," he said.

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Iran plans book, CD on Britons' detention     Full story

Watch Iranian video showing the British group in captivity)

(Watch a profile of one of them, Prince William's friend)

 (Watch disgust grow over the decision allowing them to sell their stories)

Iranian television airs video of captured British troops laughing and watching TV  (:43)

Criticism grows toward the UK sailors after their ordeal in Iran  (2:12)

UK soldiers are killed, including Prince William's friend  (1:26)

UK sailors speak out on detention  (1:58)

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British service members arrive back in the UK at London's Heathrow Airport on

Some of the freed British sailors and marines check their gifts from Iran at the airport in Tehran.

British service members are reunited with family members and friends at a military base.

Blair: "We are glad that our service personnel return safe and unharmed from their captivity."

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran plans to release a book and CD detailing the arrest and detention of 15 British sailors and marines whom Tehran blames for illegally crossing into Iranian waters, an Iranian military spokesman said. The book and compact disc are "being prepared and will soon be distributed," Gen. Ali-Reza Afshar said in a written statement. The British personnel were seized on March 23 while patrolling the northern Persian Gulf for smugglers. They were granted amnesty last Thursday by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said they were freed as an Easter gift and in respect for the recent anniversary of the Prophet Muhammed's birth. While in custody, some of the captives confessed on video to straying into Iranian territorial waters. They recanted those confessions once they returned to Britain on Thursday. In an interview published Monday, the only woman among the detained crew told Britain's Sun tabloid that she feared she was being measured for a coffin while in detention, according to Reuters. (Full story) Afshar, who is in charge of cultural affairs for Iran's armed forces, blamed Britain for "forcing the British sailors to deny their own statements while in detention." "The childish British play-acting after the release of the sailors, instead of thanking Iran for its generous and kindly behavior, once again demonstrated the British aggressive nature and their lack of respect for international conventions," the Iranian general saidThree days after their release, Iran released more video of the Britons smiling and playing games during their detention. Iran's al-Alam network said the video, which aired Sunday, showed they were held "in comfort" and enjoyed "complete freedom" during their captivity. (Watch Iranian video showing the British group in captivity) Britain's navy has been criticized for initially lifting its restrictions to allow the sailors and marines to get paid for public appearances, book deals or interviews with news outlets. (Watch disgust grow over the decision allowing them to sell their stories) The Royal Navy argued that it was done to make sure the service "had sight of what they were going to say.""Quite aside from the 'human interest story' surrounding these individuals, there are also sensitive strategic issues in play," the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a written statement. "It was clear that the stories they had to tell were likely to have emerged via family and friends regardless of any decision the Navy took."After the criticism, the MoD reversed the decision Monday, but some of the military personnel had already agreed to deals. An MoD spokesman said the policy was under review. The personnel can still talk to the media, but cannot accept payment, except for payments already made or promised. The British military usually keeps a tight rein on interviews with its personnel, and the decision rankled some who said the ex-captives were getting special treatment when others' tales of heroism may never be told."It does compare very badly with the six soldiers who were killed in Iraq this week, against the Royal Marines who are fighting a serious battle in Helmand province in Afghanistan," said retired army Col. Bob Stewart. (Watch a profile of one of them, Prince William's friend)"And quite frankly, a vast part of the British armed forces think it's not fair," the former commander of British peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina said.

POSTED: 1806 GMT (0206 HKT), April 10, 2007

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