UAE | Media
Dubai-based Virgin Radio DJ Revin John fired for offensive comments
Dubai-based radio station Virgin Radio fired one of its DJs for making offensive comments on air, the station said on Wednesday.
- Agencies
- Published: 13:17 October 23, 2008
Dubai: Dubai-based radio station Virgin Radio fired one of its DJs for making offensive comments on air, the station said on Wednesday.
South African DJ Revin John who hosted the morning breakfast show was fired after mocking religion and impersonating God on air, the Arabian Radio Network said in a statement.
In a sketch aired on Monday, John pretended to act out a telephone conversation with God, prompting complaints from various listeners.
"He intended to be funny, not to offend anybody," the Arabian Radio Network Chief Operating Officer Steve Smith to the Associated Press. "However, what he did was highly offensive to the Muslim and Christian community in the UAE."
John was allowed back on air on Tuesday to apologise for his comments but was then dismissed, Abdullatif Al Sayegh, chief executive of Arab Media Group said.
A Facebook group set up in response to the comments currently stands at 626 members.
Mariam Zarouni, a 20-year-old chemical engineering student at the American University of Sharjah, told the AP she formed the group because she was so offended by his comments.
"When somebody crosses the line, then you have to defend your religion," Zarouni said. "Honestly ... how can he do this? We're in a Muslim county. But even Christians would take offense to that. You can't insult God."
In an interview with Gulf News magazine in June, the popular DJ said he researched the Dubai market before arriving in the country so that he could get to know his audience.
“The sensibilities of a listener in Dubai and the boundaries of what's acceptable and what's not were looked into,'' he said.
Do you think Virgin Radio's actions were justified? Were you offended by Revin John's comments? Tell us by leaving a comment below.
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