SOMBRERO SLUR:

Chicago's Latino Council on the Media and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have expressed outrage over comments made by local radio talk-show host Chris North.

North told his WSCR listeners that WBBM CBS2 TV news anchor Antonio Mora didn't "look Spanish enough" and suggested that he "wear a sombero" on the air. His remarks, made March 25, were first reported by The Chicago Sun-Times. WSCR is a sports-talk station. Both it and WBBM are owned by Viacom.

Mora made his debut as WBBM's main anchor on March 18. He is the first Hispanic ever to hold such a position on an English-language television station in the Windy City.

He declined to comment on the matter.

Mora, a 44-year-old Cuban American, served as a news anchor on ABC-TV's Good Morning America before moving over to WBBM. He is vice president of broadcast for the NAHJ.

LCM President Mary Gonzalez Koenig called North's remarks racist. She said she is attempting to hold a meeting with North and the station's management.

NAHJ sent a letter to WSCR general manager/vice-president Ron Zimmerman and Viacom President Mel Karmazin denouncing the remarks.

"Using the powerful forum of radio to fuel misperceptions about Latinos is not responsible or professional and could even encourage hateful behavior. And we are very sensitive to this notion of fueling hateful behaviors," stated NAHJ President Cecilia Alvear.
North has since defended his comments, stating that they are part of his on-air style.