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Local Anchor Fired After Vulgar On-Air Government Assistance Rant
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 1, 2014
Modified Oct 1, 2014
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 1, 2014
Modified Oct 1, 2014
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A local news anchor has been fired following an on-air gaffe last week. News12 The Bronx anchor Matt Peiper was caught on a live mic cursing and bashing people who use government assistance last Wednesday. You can see video of the gaffe below.
Here's what he said: "And Dave wants you to also mention that parents do their fucking jobs and walk their little kids to school on their own and not rely on everyone else," Peiper can be heard saying to reporter Amy Yensi before a report on school crossing guards. "Kind of like people rely on government assistance for their entire lives. And bye Felicia. I actually added the part about government assistance but it’s true. I mean, how old are these kids?"
Peiper apologized on Twitter this week...by blaming his comments on a producer:
As a professional who has spent his entire career delivering the news, I understand the importance of sharing the facts. The situation that transpired on September 24th was extremely unfortunate and I feel the need to communicate what occurred and clear the air. The incident was broadcast accidentally when we were supposed to be in a commercial break, not on the air. Someone in the control room spoke into my earpiece and asked me to relay a message to our reporter out in the field. These were not my own thoughts or profanities. In relaying that information, I made a poor decision in my choice of words and for that I apologize. I could have communicated what I was asked to get across in a different manner and under the pressure of doing my job in real time I made a mistake. I have been a stalwart advocate for equality and diversity in the workplace, within my own family and in my community. I apologize to anyone I offended and assure you that this situation—which has cost me my job—was truly just a mistake in relaying a message, and not a representation of my views or character.
This seems to contradict what he said on-air when he noted, "I actually added the part about government assistance but it’s true," but hey, maybe he was told to say that as well. If it can happen to Ron Burgundy, it can happen to anyone.
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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