Former CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill said certain news outlets were “Zionist organizations” that produced “Zionist content.”
He made the comment at this month’s Netroots Nation summit, a gathering of liberal activists, in Philadelphia, when asked about young journalists reporting on Palestinians.
“They’re like, I want to work for Fox, or I want to work for ABC or NBC or whoever. And I want to be able to tell these stories,” he said, according to Jewish Insider. “You have to make choices about where you want to work. And if you work for a Zionist organization, you’re going to get Zionist content. And no matter how vigorous you are in the newsroom, there are going to be two, three, four, 17, or maybe one powerful person — not going to suggest a conspiracy — all news outlets have a point of a view. And if your point of view competes with the point of view of the institution, you’re going to have challenges.”
Hill, a professor at Temple University and a host on BET News, was let go from CNN in November after he made comments widely interpreted as calling for the elimination of Israel and endorsing violent “resistance” from Palestinians.
Those comments drew a sharp rebuke not only from conservatives on social media, but also among groups including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Anti-Defamation League.