A St. Louis news station has issued an apology after one of their news anchors used an outdated and racial slur while referencing Black homeowners during a broadcast. On February 26, KMOV anchor Cory Stark mistakenly used the term “colored” while introducing a segment about Black homeowners facing appraisal issues. This term was initially intended to be “homeowners of color” but was altered and subsequently read live.
RELATED STORIES: T-Pain Blames ‘Racism’ As The Reason He Stopped ‘Taking Credit’ For The Country Songs He’s Written For Other Artists
JD Sosnoff, the general manager of the CBS affiliate, issued an apology through a statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He clarified the mix-up and regretted the oversight, emphasizing the station’s commitment to accuracy and sensitivity. In response to the error, Stark offered a heartfelt apology on the air, stressing that such language was unacceptable and not reflective of his values or the standards upheld by the First Alert 4 news team.
The National Association of Black Journalists expressed dismay over the incident, highlighting the discomfort and offense caused by using such a term. They criticized the station for not catching the mistake before it was broadcast. They raised concerns about the newsroom’s editorial processes and cultural sensitivity, especially given St. Louis’s significant Black population and history of racial tensions.
“The term is outdated, offensive, and racist. We are concerned that no one in the KMOV newsroom caught this error, and we question KMOV’s editorial process when it comes to cultural awareness. Given that St. Louis’ population is 43% Black, and the city is no stranger to racial strife, we would hope KMOV would be more sensitive in how it covers the Black community.”
RELATED STORIES: City Of Miami Beach Cracks Down On Wild Tourists Ahead Of Spring Break With Viral ‘Spring Breakup’ PSA: ‘It Not Us, It’s You’
According to PEOPLE, KMOV’s management has contacted the NABJ for guidance on better educating their newsroom on matters affecting the Black community. Both parties have expressed optimism about future discussions to improve cultural awareness and reporting practices within the station. Local NAACP leaders have also engaged with the station, suggesting that while the remark was unfortunate, it did not seem to stem from a place of intentional bias or racism. They recognized Stark’s previous community interactions as devoid of discriminatory behavior.
Despite these efforts, the NABJ insists that more actions are necessary, recommending additional training in diversity, equity, and inclusion for KMOV staff. They also emphasized the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment by hiring and supporting Black employees in front of and behind the camera.
