Offender: Glenn Beck on The Glenn Beck Program
Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 10/8/09 – syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications
The Offense: On his radio show, Glenn Beck had this to say about former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: “Good heavens! I’m sorry I just looked up at Madeleine Albright and she’s . . . [screaming and laughter] No, normally it burns our eyes out . . . and look at the neck skin on her . . . does she kind of look like a turkey? . . . look at her eyes and her nose. She looks like a turkey.”
NOW’s Analysis: No matter how accomplished a woman may be, she is always subject to ridicule, particularly where her appearance is concerned. Men can get as old and ugly and heavy as they want, but women are supposed to be sexually appealing at all times and at every age — otherwise, watch out! Like Hillary Clinton, who Beck called a “stereotypical bitch,” and Sonia Sotomayor, who he referred to as “Hispanic chick lady,” it appears that Albright should not expect the same level of respect that men in those same positions are routinely granted. And that’s just wrong.
The added irony here is that Glenn Beck recently bragged that more women were calling into his radio show and showing up at his book signings. He’s been doing shows with moms because he claims that “it’s the women, the moms, that I think truly have an idea of what’s going on” in the U.S. Of course, Beck knows better than to insult these mothers and grandmothers with jabs at their appearance. But the fact is that he insults all women when he belittles Clinton, Sotomayor and Albright.
Take Action: Tell Kraig T. Kitchin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, what you think about Glenn Beck’s sexist, ageist comments.
Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director