Overview
- WBMA ABC 33/40 issued an apology Monday after a March 26 sign-off quoted Hassan al-Banna, who founded the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928.
- News director Jeff Cox told viewers the line was meant as a thoughtful closer, not a political statement, and said anchors do not select the quotes.
- Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns the station, said it shared Cox’s apology video and is reinforcing its review protocols for closing segments.
- Ashonti Ford remains on air without discipline as online critics, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, call for consequences and question the station’s judgment.
- The episode lands in a charged context because several governments, and recently U.S. agencies, have labeled some Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist groups.