WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Three prominent U.S. Arab and Muslim groups have protested ABC television's decision to hire commentator Glenn Beck.
Beck has been hired to appear on ABC's nationally popular "Good Morning America" daily program.
The Arab American Institute, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Muslim Public Affairs Council said in a statement Thursday they had sent a joint protest to ABC/Disney "expressing dismay and requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns."
The three groups said they had also all "launched membership action campaigns, through which supporters have been calling and emailing ABC News to express dismay over "Good Morning America's" decision.
"During his tenure at CNN Headline News and as a talk-radio host, Beck has demonstrated an obvious anti-Arab and anti-Muslim prejudice in his broadcasts through threats and blatantly inaccurate statements," the three groups said.
"[Glenn Beck's] addition to 'Good Morning America' would disseminate his prejudiced, openly-hostile and ignorant commentary to an even broader national audience, and diminish the credibility of your reputable and highly-rated news show," said the organizations' letter to ABC/Disney. "To provide a platform for his hateful speech is dangerous and irresponsible, and we strongly and urgently implore you to reconsider this move."
The statement said "ABC News has initially responded to the organizations and expressed willingness to discuss their concerns, although it added that it does still intend to hire Beck."
