Should Rodney Marsh have been sacked?

[cardboard]

Following his joke about the 'Toon Army' in Asia, Rodney Marsh has been binned by Sky. Is this a case of taking things too far, or do people think it warrants the same punishment as Ron Atkinsons comments last year. Personally I think it was just a light hearted joke alot of people had heard anyway, and once again people are taking things far too seriously

[jills]

check out the a similar question under News cardboard.

I'm not sure it warrants a sacking, but even Rodney himself has said that he fully understands Sky TVs position.  I think he knows it was in pooor taste and I guess that's the chance to take when you're always as keen to be controversial as Rodney is. 

[Weaza_cfc]

A similar joke is on the site www.laughfc.com

Underneath it says "This story was written in support of the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal. Please donate generously:

" target="_blank">http://www.dec.org.uk/"

Its not meant to be offensive. However as jills said think of Skys position; they just can't not act, think of the bad press they would have got. They are a large company, and they are going to want to protect themselves

[Philtaz]

Sky did the right thing.  There's nothing light-hearted or jokey about 160,000 plus losing their lives, almost a third of them children.

[andy hughes]

Humour is a highly subjective concept, and I speak as one who's sense of humour is black as pitch. That said, i am really careful to indulge it only in the company of people who know me very well, and I am sure will not take offence - if in doubt, leave it out.

Broadcasting to an audience of millions, by definition, a certain proportion of people will find Mr Marsh's remark amusing, certain will find it offensive, and the majority will be indifferent. The simple fact is, if you are likely to give offence in an inappropriate forum, which this was, then you should temper your approach and humour accordingly - that is basic rspect for the sensitivities of others. Anyone unable to employ that simple basic judgement and courtesy forfeits their right to the public platform for their views.

It doesn't matter how may people think it was funny / stupid / crass / indifferent, or what ever, the fact remains that inappropriate speech and action in a national forum exhibits a lack of maturity, judgement and sensitivity, and for these reasons, Mr Marsh has to be seen to be removed, as an example to others that Sky, a national broadcasting company, has basic standards, and shows that it upholds them. 

[Mr.Ix]

I think a better and certainly more contructive puinishment would have been for Rodney to have mad e apublic apology and for Sky to have fined him his wages for that show and possible others and that money be donated to the disaster appeal. No-one has benifited from the sacking.

[jills]

Many Sky programmes are globally shown these days.  Perhap Asian networks would not have looked too kindly on Mr Marsh being on some of the ever popular football programmes.  Ultimately, as I think Rodney understands, on a business and professional level, he had to go, but I still do feel it was a bit harsh.

[WoWo]

Seems Sky were quick to get rid of him. Shame they haven't taken the same moral stance with the George Best.

[jills]

HEAR HEAR to that one WoWo.  Quite apart from being a total a***hole, Best just spouts s**** about his beloved Moan Utd and is totally disinterested in any other team.  That said, I love watching him trying to comment on a game where Utd are playing poorly or even better, getting beaten.  But he repulses me to be honest.

[mindbullets]

its seems strange to me that a football pundit can get the sack for making a bad pun on the word tsunami and yet a member of our royal family can wear a swastika without any punishment whatsoever! harry should have been sacked ,or perhaps we'll reward him with another gap year to add on to the last two.nice work if you can get it!

[jonmoore]

This is such a ridiculous turn of events.  His joke was taken completely out of context.  Yes, the pun was referring to the tsunami, but he was ridiculing David Beckham's stupidity more than anything else. 

I agree with the previous poster's comments. There is a deep-set inequality in the English media, and this is propogated by the big-wigs who are too afraid to stand up from the crowd. Even though Marsh was a selectively unpopular pundit (mainly for his outspoken nature), to be sacked for doing his job is a bit harsh to say the least.