VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Donald Trump’s appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention has sparked significant controversy. Karen Attiah, co-chair of the NABJ, has spoken out on why she decided to step down in a compelling Washington Post Op-ed.
“I resigned as co-chair in protest, not only of Trump’s presence but also the event’s setup, which I felt would undermine our advocacy and trust in journalism. Despite my absence from the planning, I attended the session, which proved problematic,” shared Karen Attiah, columnist from The Washington Post.
Announced moments before the event, Trump’s session with Black reporters, including, ABC’s Rachel Scott, Fox News’s Harris Faulkner, and Semafor’s Kadia Goba, has received criticism for its format, which some feared would exploit the NABJ’s platform for Trump’s agenda rather than genuinely address Black issues.
“I objected to the format, which I rightly feared would allow a White politician to make our Black press advocacy organization into an instrument of his agenda. I am a longtime NABJ member and award-winner. I love this community dearly. But I could not be part of the production and promotion of performative, journalistic charades that degrade our communities, and further undermine trust in our profession,” Attiah writes.
Trump’s combative behavior, particularly towards Scott, and the lack of meaningful questions on critical Black issues left many feeling disheartened, Attiah writes in her op-ed.
The session failed to address key topics important to the Black community including Black maternal mortality, reparations, and voting rights, focusing instead on less pertinent issues like Trump’s running mate and Harris’ racial identity. The moderators did not represent Black-owned media, reinforcing the exclusion of historically Black media voices, Attiah noted.
The Op-ed in The Post emphasizes how the event should prompt NABJ and Black journalists to reflect on their roles as messengers and the impact of such engagements. It raises questions about the balance between access and integrity, and whether enduring humiliation under the guise of tradition and accountability truly serves the Black community.
