Rachel Maddow speaking at BookExpo in New York City©IMAGN
MSNBC recently announced major programming changes, drawing criticism over discriminatory concerns. Joy Reid, one of two non-white prime-time hosts, was removed last week. Rachel Maddow, host of “The Rachel Maddow Show,” called the decision “indefensible.” Critics of Maddow were quick to voice their condemnation of her pushback, noting that Reid was being replaced by non-white talent.
Rachel Maddow before her show airs at MSNBC studios©IMAGN
Maddow said, “I am 51 years old. I have been gainfully employed since I was 12. And I have had so many different kinds of jobs, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But in all of the jobs I have had, in all of the years I have been alive, there is no colleague for whom I have had more affection and more respect than Joy Reid.”
Rachel Maddow prepares for her show at MSNBC studios©IMAGN
Maddow added, “I love everything about her. I have learned so much from her. I have so much more to learn from her,” stating, “I do not want to lose her as a colleague here at MSNBC, and personally, I think it is a bad mistake to let her walk out the door. It is not my call, and I understand that, but that’s what I think.”
A clip from the Rachel Maddow Show is played during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing©IMAGN
Maddow said, “And that feels worse than bad, no matter who replaces them. That feels indefensible, and I do not defend it.” Reid’s time slot, however, will now feature three non-white co-hosts: Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez.
A view of news cameras facing down Bourbon Street©IMAGN
Other hosts affected by the restructuring include Katie Phang, Jonathan Capehart, and Ayman Mohyeldin. Critics claimed MSNBC’s approach fails to address systemic racial equity issues.
Joy Ann Reid arrives at The 1619 Project Los Angeles Red Carpet Event©IMAGN
Reid defended her show, stating, “I went hard on so many issues, whether it was the Black Lives Matter, issues of a young baby or a mom or dad that was killed or when we opened up people’s eyes to the fact that Asian Americans were being targeted, and not just Black folks. My show had value.”
Jason Reid and Joy-Ann Reid at the Los Angeles Premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures©IMAGN
Reid stated, “We as the American people have a right to object to little babies being bombed,” adding, “I am not sorry that I stood up for those things, because those things are of God.”
Columbus Dispatch reporter Kevin Joy operates a video camera©IMAGN
The network’s restructuring has reignited debates over diversity in media, as MSNBC is now attempting to reconcile programming priorities with calls for fair representation.Emily Prescott covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.
