Some are making a big deal about the reported involvement of an Asian American editor in KTVU’s much publicized and embarrassingly offensive Asiana pilot name gaffe.
Citing a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon says an editor with a Chinese surname was asked to help with the pronunciation of one of the names, Ho Lee “Fuk.” The editor told him the name was pronounced “Fook,” thus saving anchor Tori Campbell from suffering more egg on the face by pronouncing the name like a four letter word that shouldn’t be said on commercial television.
It’s not clear if the editor was shown the whole script and the context it was in or just the name itself. It’s important to know that in television, an editor usually refers to someone who edits video. That’s unlike an editor at a newspaper who makes decisions about content and coverage.
What’s your take on this? How significant is this revelation? Salon went so far as to call it a “dramatic turn.” I say its much ado about nothing.
From Peter Lo via Facebook: RE: Asian American editor at KTVU in Asiana pilot name gaffe: Offensive anchorman moment, for sure; but what was more bothersome was the lackluster mea culpa that followed the broadcast prank.
From Bobby Caina Calvan via Facebook RE: Asian American editor at KTVU in Asiana pilot name gaffe: If true, however, it contradicts what KTVU management has said — that no one at the station sounded out the names before going on air.
From Sam Louie via Facebook RE: Asian American editor at KTVU in Asiana pilot name gaffe: This is still obfuscating the main point of transparency from the station…we're further damaged when Poynter, SPJ, and RTNDA do nothing but give praise to the handling of this
From Rene Astudillo via Facebook RE Asian American editor at KTVU in Asiana pilot name gaffe: And if true, I can't believe the Asian American editor didn't raise a flag when he or she was asked how to pronounce "Ho Lee Fuk."
from Martyn Williams via Facebook RE: Asian American editor at KTVU in Asiana pilot name gaffe: If true, I think it underlines that this was less about an absence of diversity and more about an abundance of stupidity.