CNN bans conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky after verbal attack on journalist Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan expresses disbelief over verbal attack, says he has "never been so stunned”
Washington DC: CNN has permanently banned conservative political commentator Ryan Girdusky after he verbally attacked British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan during a heated debate on "NewsNight With Abby Phillip." The incident occurred on Monday night when Girdusky made a controversial remark, saying, "I hope your beeper doesn’t go off," in reference to a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon.
The discussion centred around the upcoming United States presidential election and criticisms of a recent rally by Republican candidate Donald Trump, where derogatory remarks were made against various minority groups. Hasan, the founder of the new media company Zeteo, criticised the inflammatory rhetoric at the rally and asserted, “If you don’t want to be called Nazis, stop doing, stop saying.”
After Girdusky's remark, Hasan responded, questioning whether Girdusky suggested he should die. Host Abby Phillip interjected, apologising to Hasan and confirming Girdusky's removal from the panel, stating, "There is a line that was crossed there, and it’s not acceptable to me."
https://youtu.be/e6qjI2xK4XM?si=6vtMALn3Bj6g5ZXt
Following the broadcast, CNN released a statement asserting, "There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air." The network condemned Girdusky's comments, stating he would not be welcomed back.
New: CNN says in a statement that Ryan Girdusky will no longer appear on the network after this remark https://t.co/CQu2ILswNm pic.twitter.com/Jjny0eE60c
— Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) October 29, 2024
Phillip later expanded on the incident in a statement posted on X, clarifying that Hasan had been welcome to continue the show but chose not to return. “As you may have seen, Ryan was asked to leave the show, and we put out a statement saying that he’s not welcome back on our air,” she wrote. “We really wanted [Hasan] to come back and finish the show… but I just wanted to make sure that you all knew that was not what happened there.”
Sharing @CNN’s statement and a quick message from me about what happened on tonight’s show.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 29, 2024
I take this very seriously and want to again apologize to @mehdirhasan and I hope he’ll join us another time. pic.twitter.com/O9l0Ftv5NZ
Girdusky later tweeted, "Apparently, you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke," in response to the backlash.
You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media. Apparently you can't go on CNN if you make a joke. I'm glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) October 29, 2024
Responding to the incident, progressive commentator and journalist Mehdi Hasan said that he was "so stunned" when a conservative commentator told him, "I hope your beeper doesn't go off," during a panel on CNN.
Hasan, a frequent critic of Israel, said on Wednesday in a video message shared on YouTube that while he has "interviewed" and "sparred with controversial, opinionated, offensive people from across the world ... never in my 25 years as a journalist, and 15 years of doing live TV, have I been so stunned by what was said to me."
"But as shocked and stunned as I was, there was no way I was going to let him say that to me unchallenged," Hasan added. He said that he was happy to see CNN decide to ban Girdusky from appearing on air and that Phillip took the time to apologise to viewers "after I walked off set."
Hasan strongly condemned Harris' policies toward the Israel-Hamas conflict in his video message on Wednesday but raised an even bigger warning about a second Trump presidency should the former president win on November 5. "If she [Harris] loses—and to be clear, because of her refusal to budge even an inch on Gaza ...—we will get a Trump presidency," Hasan said. "A white supremacist presidency, an anti-Black, antisemitic, Islamophobic presidency, in which people like the bigot I had to deal with on CNN will be emboldened like never before," Hasan added.
https://youtu.be/iSq7vnw3gWI?si=TPNsCEZH1RLI6gA3
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Mangaluru’s Karavali Utsava is back; Cultural, beach events lined up, here’s the complete schedule
Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.
He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.
The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.
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Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.
A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.
In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.
A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.
The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.
