Statement of AALDEF Executive Director Margaret Fung on Rosie O’Donnell Leaving “The View”

April 25, 2007

NEW YORK—(U.S. ASIAN WIRE)--"We believe that the Disney-ABC Television Group made the right decision in refusing to renew Rosie O'Donnell's contract on "The View." On December 5, 2006, when Ms. O'Donnell repeatedly uttered the phrase "ching chong" to depict how Chinese people speak, she used a racial slur that is offensive to all Asian Americans. Ms. O'Donnell's on-air "apology" was insincere, since she admitted that she would likely do it again.

”On March 14, 2007, when AALDEF and other Asian American groups met with the president of ABC daytime programming and other network executives, we reiterated our dismay with Ms. O'Donnell's anti-Asian remarks and urged ABC to accept responsibility for the statements of their employees. We hope that the Disney-ABC Television Group will make concerted efforts in the future to ensure that its programming is not racially derogatory or demeaning to any communities of color."

The letter from concerned organizations to Walt Disney President and CEO Robert Iger may be obtained at: http://www.aaldef.org/docs/1-29-2007_lettertoRobertIger.pdf

About the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

Contact:
Margaret Fung
Executive Director
212.966.5932 x201
mfung@aaldef.org