November 25, 2011
Berlin DJ fired over alleged anti-Semitism
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A Berlin radio station has fired a controversial disc jockey accused of anti-Semitism.
Berlin DJ Ken Jebsen, who recently wrote in a letter to a listener that he “knew who invented the Holocaust as PR,” was fired for “failing to adhere to journalistic standards,”
according to a statement from national broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg.
Jebsen, who for ten years played music, hosted local musicians and sometimes offered political commentary on his weekly KenFM show, landed in the news recently over an e-mail in which he made comments widely interpreted as Holocaust denial. He had also suggested on the air that the CIA orchestrated the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
After cancelling one broadcast and insisting that Jebsen submit all future political commentary to his editors, RBB decided to pull the plug when Jebsen reportedly did not keep to his side of the bargain.Jebsen’s immediate supervisor has quit his job.
RBB program director Claudia Nothelle told reporters this week that she had defended Jebsen against charges of anti-Semitism, but that “unfortunately we have found that many of his contributions don’t meet RBB’s journalistic standards.” She did not immediately provide examples.
Jebsen has defended himself against charges of anti-Semitism. But according to Spiegel Online magazine, many of his fans have made anti-Semitic statements in support of him in Internet forums.
Berlin Jewish leaders had called for tougher measures against Jebsen last week, noting Christian Dior’s firing of fashion guru John Galliano last spring for anti-Semitic comments.
