| Magic
Johnson Responds To Radio Hosts' Remarks About "Faking
AIDS"
By
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS
(AP) — Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show
hosts Friday for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn't
want them to be fired. Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK
in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker's conservative
radio show on Wednesday. After Johnson condemned the statements,
the station said it regretted "some offhand remarks"
by the pair.
"We
can't have people out here making false statements and putting
out bad information, because this battle is too big when it
comes to HIV and AIDS," Johnson told The Associated Press
in a telephone interview.
"I
poured my life into it and a lot of other people have poured
their life into it, into getting out the right information
so people can protect themselves and know what HIV and AIDS
is all about."
Johnson
called the remarks "so stupid," and said he hadn't
heard from the station. He also wants the hosts to keep their
jobs.
"I
would rather they educate their audience," he said.
According
to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog
site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted
that health care isn't a basic right. Perry responded by asking
about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a
long time "if you just get some basic drugs."
Baker
responded, "Like Magic Johnson?"
Perry
replied, "Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked
AIDS."
Baker
said, "You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?"
Perry
replied, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS."
"Me
too," Baker said.
Johnson
was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and then retired from the NBA
at 32.
KTLK's
statement said it recognized the seriousness of AIDS and the
"great work" Johnson has done to call attention
to the disease.
"We
regret that some offhand remarks by commentators on KTLK did
not reflect that," the statement said. "To better
inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS
awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching
out to Mr. Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts."
Program
director Steve Versnick said the station wouldn't comment
beyond the statement.
Johnson,
49, said his health is "wonderful." He also noted
that he has HIV, not AIDS.
"You
have incredible drugs now," he said. "I'm working
out every day."
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