WASHINGTON, D.C.– May 7, 2007– The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will present Black Entertainment Television (BET) with the 2007 Thumbs Down Award, the association announced today.
At its spring meeting in Chicago, the NABJ Board of Directors voted to give BET the award for its depiction of black images in the media, lack of news and public affairs and the network’s neglect to broadcast the funeral of civil rights icon Coretta Scott King in 2006.
“It is sad that such a powerful platform as BET has not been used as forcefully to educate and enlighten as well as amuse and entertain,” said NABJ President Bryan Monroe. “We hope that its new leadership now recognizes the responsibility that comes along with the power of a major cable network.”
As NABJ strives to promote fair and accurate media coverage of the black community, the Thumbs Down Award is given to an individual or organization for stereotypical representation, commentary or caricatures about the black community published or aired during the eligibility period, or for engaging in practices at odds with the goals of NABJ.
“BET has a responsibility as a network for and about African Americans to highlight the best in us,” said NABJ Vice President for Broadcast Barbara Ciara. “Instead, we are inundated with more and more negative images such as those in music videos and the degradation of black women. With BET’s reach, it would be great to see less fluff and more relevant news and information that could greatly benefit our community.”
BET will be presented with the Thumbs Down Award at the opening ceremony of this year’s NABJ convention.
Over 4,000 journalists from across the country are expected to attend the 32nd Annual Convention, August 8-12 at Bally’s Hotel & Casino. The convention will feature the nation’s largest journalism career fair along with specialized workshops, plenary sessions and professional development breakfasts for veteran and future journalists. For more information, please visit
www.nabj.org.
NOTE: Members of the working press who will be covering the NABJ convention are required to obtain media credentials. As part of the process, reporters must submit a request for credentials on company letterhead signed by their supervisors. The letter must also include the specific days that the reporters will be covering the convention and the names and titles of all staff members who are requesting media credentials. A photo ID or press pass will be required for each person. For additional information on obtaining credentials, contact Kristin Palmer, NABJ Communications Manager at
[email protected].
