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ESPN host and political commentator Stephen A. Smith targeted the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for what he called a “personal hit job” against him in a lengthy rant during his show on Monday.
Smith’s comments came after the NABJ gave him a “Thumbs Down” award at the group’s Saturday night gala in Atlanta over what it characterized as his repeated disparagement of prominent Black women.
The sports host felt personally offended by the decision, calling out the moment as a spectacular lack of journalism from a journalism organization.
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Stephen A. Smith received a “Thumbs Down” award from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) over the weekend. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
“The reality is that it was a personal hit job,” Smith said. “We can sit up there and lollygag around and act like we don’t know any better. It was a personal hit job. Which, by the way, usually doesn’t phase me. I know you think something phases me, just because you see me commenting on it. No, I’m in this business. I have a platform. I can comment about anything I want to, and I will continue to do so.”
“That’s not what this is,” he added. “This is different. This is a journalism organization that didn’t engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me. Disparaging Black women is a very incendiary thing to say. If you felt that adamant about it, [NABJ] President [Errin] Haines, how come I never got a call?”
Smith speculated that the award was focused on his past criticism of high-profile Black female political figures like Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett. He also revealed that he reached out to Haines regarding the organization’s allegations to potentially discuss their differences, a conversation that ultimately went nowhere.
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Stephen A. Smith criticized NABJ’s decision during a rant on his podcast. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Do you know what she said to me, ladies and gentlemen? She’d rather have a private off-the-air conversation first,” he said. “Oh, really? So you can go on a public platform, denigrate me, make these accusations against me without calling. But when I challenge you to come on here face to face and have a conversation with me, now we want a private conversation before. Nah, I will never speak to her because the deed is done.”
However, Smith clarified that he still plans to support NABJ, remarking that he owes his career to an “NABJ job fair” over 30 years ago.
“This is not about the NABJ. This is not an indictment against them. It certainly isn’t an indictment against the sports task force filled with a bunch of my brothers that I will always be there for,” he said. “And it certainly isn’t something that should be held against aspiring journalists and those already in the business who aspire to rise higher. I’m always here. But those few board members who made this decision, it was wrong. It was grossly unfair. And more importantly, it was self-defeating.”
An editor for the conservative watchdog, the Media Research Center, told Digital Sunday that the award reflected what he viewed as a broader disconnect between journalism organizations and the public.
“This charade is further proof these so-called journalist trade groups are an absolute scam. They exist to keep Woke 1 alive, and illuminate the reality elitist journalists are wildly disconnected from the rest of the country,” NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck said.
“Stephen A. Smith was exactly right to eviscerate them. Smith is known as someone who can be a bloviator, but he also calls out all sides if he feels they did something wrong. It’s a lesson those in the NABJ should take a page from instead of masquerading as clownish activists,” he added.
Digital reached out to NABJ for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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Stephen A. Smith accused NABJ of claiming he was “disparaging” Black women over his comments against people like Rep. Jasmine Crockett. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
A video of the NABJ presentation was shared by Washington Association of Black Journalists President Phil Lewis on X Sunday.
“Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media,” the award presentation said.
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“Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities,” it continued.
‘ CJ Womack contributed to this report.
