Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Weather Channel's Jen Delgado apologizes for saying starving Haitian kids 'eat the trees'

Weather Channel meteorologist received flak for saying Haiti kids 'eat the trees.' CREDIT: Weather Channel

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Weather Channel meteorologist received flak for saying Haiti kids 'eat the trees.' CREDIT: Weather Channel
By
Oct 5, 2016

This is from the AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Atlanta-based Weather Channel meteorologist Jen Delgado apologized for stating Monday that Haiti has suffered from deforestation in part because the children "eat the trees."

Here's her quote while discussing the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti: “They take all the trees down, they burn the trees. Even the kids there, they’re so hungry they actually eat the trees.”

This apparently is not the case. Trees are mostly taken down for fuel.

Some Haitians took insult to her comment and a man identifying himself as Jonathan Francois even posted a petition to get her fired. In part, the petitioner wrote: "Haitians around the world are extremely upset and offended by Ms Jennifer Delgado stupid remarks and want her separation from the Weather Channel. She had not proven her professionalism, competence and knowledge about Haiti during her weathercast." It has generated about 12,000 supporters to date but so far hasn't worked. She is still employed.

The Weather Channel released this statement today:

The Weather Channel regrets the comments Jennifer Delgado made on air Monday regarding the deforestation in Haiti. Jennifer was not intending to offend the Haitian community and misspoke. She clarified her comments yesterday on-air. The Weather Channel has been dedicated to covering the impacts of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti and will continue to focus on the storm.

Delgado, who worked at CNN before joining the Weather Channel, apologized on Wednesday on air.

Here's her original comments:

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, October 5, 2016

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

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