The National Association of Black Journalists celebrated excellence in journalism over the weekend, while also calling out what it considers failures in the industry.
During its Salute to Excellence Awards on Saturday night at the 2026 NABJ Convention and Career Fair in Atlanta, the organization announced five recipients of its “Thumbs Down” award.
Winners of the dubious distinction included Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr; CBS Network; ESPN host Stephen A. Smith; The Washington Post; and television station owner DuJuan McCoy.
In a video presentation, NABJ said the awards single out “conduct that harms Black journalists, weakens newsroom equity, reinforces damaging portrayals of Black people, or compromises the public service mission of journalism.”
Related: Why Is Stephen A. Smith Complaining About NABJ on Fox News?
Errin Haines, the organization’s president, told attendees NABJ wanted to “confront the systems and the people whose choices make your jobs harder.”
“We are here to defend the truth. And that means telling it even when the truth makes our friends uncomfortable,” Haines said from the podium.
Brendan Carr
Since taking over the FCC under the Trump administration, Carr has “repeatedly used the agency’s regulatory authority in ways that have raised serious concerns about press freedom and editorial independence,” NABJ said.
In April, Carr demanded a review of the broadcast licenses of several Disney-owned ABC stations over the network’s diversity and inclusion practices, according to The New York Times.
Carr has also taken aim at The View and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. In September 2025, the FCC chairman called for an investigation of The View, which frequently criticizes Trump administration policies.
Carr urged ABC affiliates to stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live!, touching off a war of words that let to Kimmel’s temporary suspension by the network and his splashy return.
Stephen A. Smith
NABJ said the ESPN host and podcaster “has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media.”
Smith fired back in a blistering statement on social media and vowed to “say my peace!”
“This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake… I’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, after I say my peace! Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something,” Smith wrote on X.
DuJuan McCoy
The media executive is owner, president and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting, parent company of powerhouse Indianapolis television station WISH-TV.
“McCoy’s leadership has been the subject of multiple allegations regarding the treatment of Black journalists,” NABJ said.
After a series of acquisitions, McCoy now owns Indiana stations WISH, WNDY, and WRTV-ABC. In June, the Indianapolis Star reported he “laid off about 60 employees, including many well-known local media personalities,” sparking public outcry.
McCoy dismissed the criticism during a podcast interview.
“I just need to be able to hire people on my terms and under my policies and my procedures,” he said. “Just because you were employed at a company I purchased does not guarantee you immediate employment with me.”
CBS
NABJ raised concerns about “editorial independence” at CBS, following the acquisition of its former parent company, Paramount Global, by Skydance Media as part of an $8 billion deal in August 2025.
“Under its current leadership, CBS eliminated its Race and Culture Unit, and implemented newsroom workforce reductions that disproportionately affected journalists of color,” NABJ said.
The network began widespread layoffs in its news division following the merger, including at 60 Minutes, the top-rated news program in the country.
Just before the merger closed, CBS canceled the top-rated Late Show With Stephen Colbert, prompting critics to accuse Paramount of caving to President Trump and Skydance’s owners, as the merger awaited federal regulatory approval. CBS Studios and Paramount Global said the decision was “purely financial.”
The Washington Post
The newspaper was also called out for job cuts, which the NABJ said have disproportionately affected Black journalists.
“These decisions diminished newsroom diversity and subject matter expertise at a moment when robust, inclusive journalism is critical to public accountability and democratic understanding,” NABJ stated.
You can watch the awards here. NABJ announces its “Thumbs Down” winners at the 2:11:50 mark.
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