MSNBC | Hugo Balta | NAHJ | BuzzFeed | Huffington Post | Politico | Maynard Institute
In a statement on its website, MSNBC’s “Way Too Early” says the show on Monday “made sarcastic references to the way some Americans celebrate” Cinco de Mayo. “It was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize for the ill-advised references,” the statement says.
The National Association for Hispanic Journalists demanded MSNBC apologize for the video, which featured producer Louis Burgdorf in a sombrero guzzling tequila and shaking a maraca. The segment “clearly proves that diversity is lacking at the Way Too Early program,” NAHJ said.
NAHJ President Hugo Balta wrote on Facebook that Executive Producer Alex Korson told him “all those involved in the segment will be disciplined.”
Adrian Carrasquillo reported on the segment for BuzzFeed Monday, saying, “While Cinco de Mayo is a sort of silly holiday that Mexican-Americans don’t care too much about, your portrayal and ‘Mexican Heritage Celebration’ chyron are surely appreciated.”
