( CNN ) -- The anchor of MSNBC 's `` Way Too Early '' apologized Tuesday for `` ill-advised '' references to Mexicans and Cinco de Mayo . Thomas Roberts , who hosts the show from 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. , told viewers via Twitter that a segment that featured a correspondent in a sombrero swilling tequila was not intended to demean Mexicans . `` On Monday , Cinco De Mayo , 'Way Too Early ' made sarcastic references to the way some Americans celebrate the holiday , '' he tweeted . `` It was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize for the ill-advised references . '' The apology came after Hugo Balta , the president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists , said in a written statement , `` This is simply the worst example I have seen of a discriminatory stereotypical portrayal of any community by any media . The fact that this was done by a news organization is abominable . This was n't a chance occurrence . This was a planned segment where many decision-makers at MSNBC 's 'Way Too Early ' program agreed on the content and execution which concluded on what was seen nationwide . '' Balta added in a Skype interview with CNN en EspaÃ±ol : `` It made me ashamed for the journalists , for this network MSNBC , to show a segment that is full of stereotypes about the Mexican community . '' During several moments in the show on Monday , correspondent Louis Burgdorf appeared in a suit and tie and a sombrero . `` Happy Cinco de Mayo . Let me just take a shot here to get the thing started , '' he said before appearing to take a drink . `` Ole ! '' Later , Roberts was shown dancing with a maraca in one hand while there were margarita glasses and bottles of `` tequila '' on his anchor desk . Burgdorf also popped into the closing shot , in which he apparently pretended to drink from one of the tequila bottles for several seconds as Roberts explained the background of the holiday . Roberts also will apologize Wednesday on the air , according to several media reports . How not to celebrate Cinco de Mayo . Comedians on MSNBC show told to be funnier before joke about Romney 's adopted black grandson . CNN 's Catherine Shoichet contributed to this story .
A correspondent wears a sombrero and drinks from a tequila bottle . Anchor says the references were n't designed to poke fun at Mexicans . President of Hispanic journalists in U.S. says he 's never seen worse depiction by media . Thomas Roberts reportedly will also apologize during Wednesday 's broadcast .