Company pulls advert from Fox because of 'repugnant' Tucker Carlson: 'We are deeply sorry'
Fox responded that it would 'not allow voices like Tucker Carlson’s to be censored'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The language app Babbel has apologised for airing an advertisement during Tucker Carlson Tonight, calling the Fox News show "repugnant".
Mr Carlson's show, which is known for presenting white nationalist ideas, has lost a number of advertisers in the last few months. Many companies have been highlighted for their support of the show by non-profit media watchdogs like Sleeping Giants, which Babbel tagged in a response to their Tuesday afternoon tweet apologising for their ad.
"If you saw our ad on Tucker Carlson’s show, you’re right to be upset. We are too," the company's tweet read. "While we did place our ad with Fox, we did not know it would air on a show so repugnant and at odds with our mission and values. We are blacklisting the show going forward. We are deeply sorry."
Babbel's ad aired during an episode of the show earlier this week.
In response to their apology, a spokesperson for Fox News told the Hill the company would "not allow voices like Tucker Carlson’s to be censored by agenda-driven intimidation efforts from the intolerant partisan activists Media Matters, Sleeping Giants and Moveon.org whose only goal is to silence conservative thought they don’t agree with."
Mr Carlson came under fire in December for airing a segment in which he suggested immigration made the US made the country "poorer and dirtier and more divided." He has been steadily losing advertisers ever since.
Mr Carlson has met the backlash to his segments with a determined view of himself as a censored voice. In March, he told audiences he would "never bow to the mob" after interviews conducted by radio host Bubba the Love Sponge between 2006 and 2011 in which Mr Carlson expressed misogynistic opinions about statutory rape and women in general surfaced.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments