Uh oh!
It seems as though NBC is being accused of “whitewashing” amid the news longtime TODAY show cohost Tamron Hall would be leaving not just the morning program, but the network altogether. Eek!
As we previously reported, Megyn Kelly is slated to take over an hour on the morning news show and it’s believed she’s snagging the 9 a.m. slot which was initially hosted by Miz Hall and Al Roker. (Although, Savannah Guthrie should keep an eye on her 7 a.m. slot since there are also reports the former Fox News anchor is coming for it too!)
Despite being offered a new contract and sources claiming that NBC had expected Tamron to stay on the TODAY show in a different role, the 46-year-old chose to walk away from the deal!
Related: Megyn Knows Donald Trump’s Hair Is Real
Now, the National Association Of Black Journalists is not okay with all of the changes going down at the network, as they’ve since released a statement on the drama. They wrote:
“The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is saddened by Tamron Hall’s departure from NBC. She broke ground as the first black female Today show cohost and was enjoying ratings success alongside Al Roker during the show’s third hour of programming… NBC has been a leader for diversity in broadcasting, but recent reports that Hall and Roker will be replaced by former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly are being seen by industry professionals as whitewashing.”
DAYUMMMMM. The NABJ continued:
“Published reports suggest Kelly will be replacing Today’s Takes, the hour of programming led by Hall and Roker. Roker tweeted last week that the show leads the ratings in its time slot and consistently beats its competition. This achievement deserves praise, not punishment, as replacing talent often is associated with low ratings performance. Kelly has a well-documented history of offensive remarks regarding people of color. On The Kelly File, her Fox News show, the host said then-First Lady Michelle Obama‘s commencement address at Tuskegee University pandered to a ‘culture of victimization.'”
Well said. However, the organization isn’t just voicing their concerns as they also want a meeting with NBC to rectify this situation. The association concluded:
“While NABJ wishes Hall well on her next move, NABJ requests a meeting with NBC leadership on the top-rated show’s dismantling. We look forward to dialogue and resolve regarding black journalists and their continuing roles at NBC both in front and behind the camera.”
We’re not entirely sure the NABJ will snag a meeting with the heads of NBC. Why? Well, because the network has since responded to their open letter with a statement of their own!
A spokesperson for the company noted:
“NBC News has a long and proven history as an industry leader in newsroom diversity. We will continue to engage in the running dialogue we’ve had for many years with the National Association of Black Journalists and other advocacy groups to advance those goals.”
Okay, so NBC didn’t shut them down completely — BUT they didn’t really address the complaints at all! It’ll be inneresting to see the direction TODAY goes in sans Hall. We’ll certainly be tuning in!
[Image via Rob Rich/Andres Otero/WENN.]
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