The Black Media Comments On Bill Cosby’s Comments About The Black Media
Last Friday, Bill Cosby told a journalist from the New York Post that he expected the black media to report neutrally. “Let me say this. I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind.”
Representatives of several black media outlets are saying that they have in fact, done that. Ebony editor-in-chief, Mitzi Miller, told The Wrap, “When people find themselves in that situation, they speak emotionally. Ebony’s coverage is not about emotion, it’s about fairness. This is a people issue, not a race issue.”
Cortney Wills, entertainment editor at CocoaFab, a website dedicated to black women, talked about how Cosby’s statement was a reminder of how much he’s done for the African-American community, She said, “I think he’s accurate to assume that black media is more aware of the social contributions that he’s made to the community throughout his career.”
And Bob Butler, President of the National Association of Black Journalists commented “Black media, in fact all media, should remain neutral. As journalists, that’s what we do, we go in with an open mind and we look to report the story, and I think that’s what’s being done.”
