Overview
- The National Association of Black Journalists presented Smith with its annual “Thumbs Down” award at its Atlanta convention on Saturday, saying he showed a recurring pattern of disparaging commentary toward prominent Black women.
- Smith immediately called the award a politicized “smear” and has pushed back on his Straight Shooter show, on X and in a Monday appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News program.
- NABJ president Errin Haines pointed to past remarks and disputes as the basis for the award, citing comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and Smith’s public spat with Joy‑Ann Reid.
- Observers have reacted sharply: some critics fault Smith for taking the dispute to Fox News and questioned his judgment, while NABJ says the action is professional accountability and keeps the door open for dialogue.
- The clash has widened debate about how trade groups document harmful rhetoric, how public figures use partisan platforms to answer critics, and the potential cost to relationships between Black journalism organizations and high‑profile commentators.