NAACP calls on NFL to rethink proposed $2bn Fox deal over 'bigotry and racism'
The NFL is seeking a 100 per cent increase in TV rights payments from network partners like Fox
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 president of the NAACP is pressuring the NFL to "rethink its relationship with Fox" due to the network's Fox News channel's history of promoting "bigotry and racism."
Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP, made the comments on Thursday in a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In the letter, Mr Johnson referred to Fox News as a "uniquely destructive force" that "foments racism, undermines public health, recovery from the pandemic, and repeatedly attacks the legitimacy of last year's Presidential election."
“For several decades, the Fox Corporation, and more specifically, Fox News has represented the worst traditions of American broadcasting,” Mr Johnson said in a statement to The Hill. “The media outlet has used its news division to sow bigotry and racism, create dissension, spread misinformation, and promote conspiracy theories that ultimately led to an insurrection against the U.S. Capitol.”
He said that the opinions pushed by the news organisation were incompatible with a civil and democratic country.
Read more
“It is safe to say, the views and opinions of Fox News are often squarely positioned against the progression of our democracy and not in the general public’s best interest,” he said.
Mr Johnson claimed the company was exploiting its licensing deal with the NFL by issuing "increasingly high cable subscriber fees" that he says Fox uses to subsidize its news division.
He also pointed to the cable news channel's often extremely hostile rhetoric toward racial justice movements.
“However, this is just one aspect of its inaccurate, incendiary coverage of racial injustice. Network personalities routinely attack Black Lives Matter and downplay the existence of systemic racism and police brutality,” he said. “A league where nearly 70% of the players are Black and prides itself as America’s favorite sports pastime, should not be complicit in helping to increase the profits of Fox News.”
Mr Johnson argued that "the NFL's programming should not be used as a bargaining tool for Rupert Murdoch to help fund Fox News' hatred, bigotry, lies and racism."
Last month the NFL announced that it would seek a 100 per cent increase in TV rights payments from its network television partners, including Fox, CBS, NBC and Disney.
The networks currently pay about $1bn to carry NFL games.
"The NFL should immediately rethink its relationship with Fox, given all that Fox has done to harm its players and the franchise. It’s disturbing that this renewal is even on the table," Mr Johnson said.
The Independent reached out to Fox, Fox News, and the NFL for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments