The National Hispanic Media Coalition is demanding an apology from KTLA anchor Chris Schauble after an on-air comment he made during the morning newscast last week.
The comments in question were during a segment spotlighting the El Coyote Mexican Cafe in Los Angeles. Reporter Allie Mac Kay, who was live from the restaurant, noted that some of the restaurant’s employees have worked there for more than 30 years:
Mac Kay: It’s a total family atmosphere, right?
AdvertisementRestaurant Manager: Right. That’s what keeps us all together, because it’s such a family, we know each other. We know their sons, their daughters, their parents, we go to their weddings, their baptismals, we share all our good times together…
Schauble (off camera, from the anchor desk): …bond hearings…
Our sister site, FishbowlLA, reports that Schauble called the restaurant and apologized immediately, and that his apology was “genuine and accepted,” according to a tweet from El Coyote.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition, however, is calling for Schauble to apologize on the air.
“Schauble co-anchors a news show, not a satirical television program, and broadcasters, especially journalists, have a responsibility to serve the public,” NHMC president Alex Nogalessaid in a statement. “Chris Schauble made his remarks on air and must apologize on air as well.”
TVSpy asked KTLA if Schauble plans to deliver an on-air apology. The station has yet to respond.