Michael Smith dropped by 2GB over Muhammad comments
Radio presenter Michael Smith has been dropped by Sydney talk station 2GB over comments he made about the Prophet Mohammed.
Smith was due to provide three weeks of cover in the afternoon slot on Sydney’s top rated radio station. But he revealed on his blog that he was told he was no longer required because of comments he made on air while a guest on Ben Fordham’s drivetime show on Thursday evening.
Smith said that he was given the news on Friday night. He wrote:
“At 7.15 last night 2GB’s Program Director David Kidd phoned me and said, “We won’t be needing you, you can’t call a Deity a paedophile.”
“David told me he was referring to the interview Ben Fordham conducted with me on Thursday this past week. Just for the record, Muhammad was a man, a prophet – but not a Deity.”
Smith’s comments on Thursday related to the age of one of the Islamic Prophet’s wives. The comments:
http://youtu.be/WAsu25Ab_z0
Smith previously left Sydney’s other talk station 2UE after the station refused to allow him to broadcast allegations linking former Prime Minister Julia Gillard to fraud. He took up his regular slot on Fordham’s 2GB show a year ago.
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The first few comments we’ve received on this one are of a tone that gives me no realistic hope for a respectful conversation on this topic. I won’t be publishing them, not least because this one is not our fight.
With Ramadan beginning, I’m going to make the choice to respect a holy time for many people.
So I’ve decided to close comments on this one.
Ramadan Mubarak.
Tim – Mumbrella