AAJA Condemns Racist Comments About KPIX-TV Reporter Betty Yu And Asian Americans

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), the AAJA-San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, the MediaWatch Committee and the Broadcast Advisory Council condemn racist comments by a YouTube host, using stereotypes to criticize the looks of Asian American reporter Betty Yu of KPIX-TV and to demean the Asian American community. 

These comments, which reinforce the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), are particularly egregious at a time when the Asian American community is experiencing increased violence and xenophobia. This incident highlights the constant otherizing of AAPIs, and the torrent of racism and sexism that AAPI journalists, journalists of color, women journalists and women journalists of color face while simply doing our jobs. 

It is unacceptable for any journalist to be targeted by such racist and sexist comments. It is never appropriate to treat a journalist in this manner. We call on all employers in the journalism industry to pay attention to such hate aimed at our journalists, respond with empathy, swiftness and accountability, provide resources for journalists’ safety and well-being, and to support all journalists of color and women journalists in their news organizations. 

AAJA fully supports and stands by Betty Yu and the AAPI community. AAJA national leaders have met with KPIX-TV’s news director Mark Neerman and general manager Kevin Walsh to discuss the incident and offer our support.  

Read AAJA-SF Bay Area’s statement here

–AAJA Board of Directors, AAJA-SF Bay Area Chapter, MediaWatch Committee, Broadcast Advisory Council

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