A top-rated Virginia radio presenter has lost his job after branding an award-winning senior news reporter a “Barbie girl” live on air.
Don Geronimo, a presenter for the BIG 100 on Virginian station WBIG, was let go after referring to Emmy-award winning reporter Sharla McBride as a “cheerleader” and a “chick”.
McBride was at American football team Washington Commanders’ training camp in Ashburn, Virginia as part of her work when the comments, that have been labelled “sexist”, were made.
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Geronimo shouted to McBride whilst on the airwaves on Thursday (July 27): “Hey look, Barbie’s here. Hi, Barbie girl.
“I’m guessing she’s a cheerleader,” he added whilst live on air.
(Image: Instagram/dongeronimoshow)
McBride had been walking in to cover the camp activities when Geronimo made the remarks at her.
She was spotted by the DJ again later in the programme whilst she was interviewing others at the site.
He went on to say: “Oh hey. There’s that chick you thought…
“I think. I think she’s a sportscaster at Channel 9. Or Channel 7. I thought she was a cheerleader,” he added.
After the show went out, Geronimo and producer Crash Young were banned from doing their show at the camp on Friday (July 28).
(Image: Instagram/sharla_mcbride)
The team also stopped WBIG’s parent company iHeartMedia from broadcasting on their premises for allowing “sexually disparaging” comments to be made.
Following an investigation at iHeartMedia, a statement released by the company said that Don Geronimo had been let go.
President of the Washington DC region for iHeartMedia, Aaron Hyland said the company “take matters of this nature very seriously and this behaviour does not align with our core values”.
McBride paid tribute to those who reached out to her following the ordeal.
She took to her social media to write: “I’m humbled and overwhelmed by the amazing support I’ve received from my fellow journalists in the past 24 hours.
(Image: Instagram/sharla_mcbride)
“I appreciate the Commanders for taking swift action and acknowledging that this behaviour is not ok.”
McBride’s company WUSA9’s general manager Richard Dyer said: “Objectifying women is harmful and disrespectful.
“We’ve heard from the Washington Commanders that they are addressing this situation directly with iHeartRadio. Promoting respect, empathy and equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of gender, is crucial for building respect in any workplace”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
