GM drops Dr. Laura
Written by Mike Burns
Published
In an article about Dr. Laura Schlessinger's controversial comments where she “articulated the 'n' word all the way out -- more than one time,” the Associated Press reported that General Motors has decided that it will no longer be advertising on Schlessinger's nationally syndicated radio show.
From an August 18 AP article:
Corinne Baldassano, an executive with Schlessinger's production company, Take on the Day LLC, said the talk show host plans to pursue opportunities through her website, books, podcasts and a YouTube channel.
At least two national sponsors of her radio program, General Motors Co., and Motel 6, owned by Accor SA, have pulled out, Baldassano said.
On August 10, Schlessinger launched into a racially charged rant during which she repeatedly used a racial epithet. Schlessinger also told an African-American caller that she had a “chip on [her] shoulder,” and suggested that “If you're that hypersensitive about color and don't have a sense of humor, don't marry out of your race.” The following day, Schlessinger apologized for her comments.
In response to Schlessinger's rant, Media Matters for America called on her sponsors to stop supporting her racially-charged rhetoric. In addition to GM, as Media Matters' Joe Strupp noted, a spokesperson for Advance Auto Parts said the company was investigating Schlessinger's comments before deciding whether to continue advertising. In a Twitter message, Advanced Auto officials said Schlessinger's “comments does not reflect the views or opinions of OnStar.” In a message to Media Matters, Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said, “Netflix does not support bigotry of any kind. Netflix advertising on individual programs does not indicate the company's endorsement of the opinions expressed on those programs.” In an email, Motel 6 executives said, “We have ended our relationship with the Dr. Laura show, and there will be no future Motel 6 advertising on this program.”
In an August 17 interview on CNN's Larry King Live, Schlessinger announced that she will not seek to renew her radio contract when it expires at the end of this year. Schlessinger said that she was ending her show in order to “regain my First Amendment rights.” According to Schlessinger, in the wake of her rant last week, highlighted by Media Matters, “my First Amendment rights have been usurped by angry, hateful groups.”