Fox sports reporter sacked for Facebook Live racist slurs
Facebook Live is an entirely new medium allowing publishers on Facebook to broadcast directly to audiences – but just because you can go live, doesn’t mean you should, if this Fox Sports Florida gaffe is anything to go by.
In a live 35 minute broadcast, covering a Tampa Bay Rays game, reporter Emily Austen managed to fire off slurs against Mexicans, Jews and the Chinese, naturally seeing her dropped from the regional news channel.
The Tampa Bay Times notes among many slurs, that she said she "didn't even know that Mexicans were that smart,” added that the "Chinese guy is always the smartest guy in math class,” and discussed how “stingy” Jews were.
The Fox reporter made the comments on an unaffiliated Facebook Live chat from Barstool Sports.
In the aftermath of multiple complaints, Steve Tello, general manager and senior vice president of Fox Sports Florida said: "We were made aware that Emily Austen appeared in a social media video unaffiliated with Fox Sports in which she made insensitive and derogatory comments.
“She was not speaking on behalf of Fox Sports, nor do we condone any of the statements she made in the video. Emily has been advised that her comments were unacceptable, and she is not scheduled to appear on any upcoming Fox Sports Florida or Fox Sports Sun broadcasts."
You can watch the full chat below.