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KSBI-TV Offers Apology, Retraction for Offensive Comments

Oklahoma City television station KSBI-TV wasted no time in offering a retraction and an apology for offensive comments made during a Tuesday newscast.

 

"We talked to station management at KSBI and let them know our members had been contacting us about the offensive remarks," said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  "The reporter offered an on-air apology, and we appreciate their prompt response.
 
 
"State employees have often faced negative stereotypes, and the comments made by the reporter came across as rude, and most of all, hurtful.  OPEA has had a good working relationship with KSBI, which we hope to continue in the future.  Therefore, we hope OPEA members and all state employees will accept the apology and move forward. We realize the comments were merely an unfortunate choice of words," Zearley said.
 

Click here to watch the video and read the retraction.

 

 

Posted on Thu, March 12, 2009 by Mark Beutler

8 comments (Add your own)

1. worker drone wrote:
i'm okay with calling it begging. after how many years without any appreciation whatsoever i'm not above begging. you know our senators and representatives will find a way to get theirs.

Thu, March 12, 2009 @ 8:08 AM

2. Wahoo! wrote:
Nice job OPEA! This comment was totally unjustified and I am glad someone is willing to step up and challenge the press.

Thu, March 12, 2009 @ 10:22 AM

3. Kathy M wrote:
What else can a person expect from a third rate television news station

Thu, March 12, 2009 @ 1:09 PM

4. TK wrote:
I am sick to death of media talking negatively about state employees. I appreciate OPEA's stance with the press, and I can say that there would have been more employees at the rally were it not for the "dedicated" state employees serving the John Q Public in their time of need. I bet the radio and television stations would sure get a lot more contact from the very clients we serve if we were not here doing our jobs!!! I have wondered many times why the workers stay at this unthankful job, but it is because they care! It is about time our legislators did! We deserve a raise!

Thu, March 12, 2009 @ 4:49 PM

5. John Redmond wrote:
Who needs KSBI? We have more than enough TV stations w/i the OKC metro-area already!

Sat, March 14, 2009 @ 5:33 PM

6. CM wrote:
Does it seem to be the view of anyone not in state service, that we are an ungrateful, whiny bunch? When they need services from DHS, Health
dept, ODOT, Corrections or any of the other State Agencies, do they doubt that someone will be there to help? What if they found empty desks and only forms to fill out and wait for someone to call in a week or more. But State workers are dedicated and care about those who come to us for help. We care about our families too, and find it hard to meet our own needs. We are asking why we are ignored every year when we need help. It's
NOT begging; it's reminding the Legislature of the promises made and not kept. We are putting faces on the unseen, unappreciated and under paid; that by doing their jobs, keep this State and all agencies functioning.

Sun, March 15, 2009 @ 11:44 PM

7. An the problem is. wrote:
We went up there with soup cups like a bunch of panhandlers and you were offended by the word "begging"? How else was it to be portrayed? I am not saying that we are not underpaid and under-represented and underappreciated, but...uhm...we ARE begging. So why was anyone offended by the wording, given the fact that is what was the image being displayed?

Mon, March 16, 2009 @ 2:55 PM

8. Wake up and smell the coffee wrote:
And the problem is YOU. We were bringing attention to the fact that we are underpaid, understaffed and unappreciated. I did not see anyone there begging. Our state employees were well dressed and very professional in their approach to legislators. Merely, bringing to light the need for state employees who need a pay raise. Actually, I thought it was a great idea and certainly got alot of the legislators out of their offices to come down and have a bowl of beans. So my idea of being a panhandler and yours may be totally different. By the way, were you there?

Wed, March 18, 2009 @ 5:02 PM

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