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The media treads lightly in marking the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder

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The murder heard around the world marks its fifth anniversary Sunday.

On the 25th of May, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd for nearly 90 seconds. This event was captured by 17-year-old Darnella Frazier and quickly spread across various platforms. Eventually, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.

The death of Floyd sparked worldwide anger and significant demonstrations amidst a pandemic that had already shaken the country. Floyd’s death served as a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, centered on a racial awakening advocating solutions to address America’s long-standing injustices against Black people. Major media outlets extensively covered various companies as they hurriedly reacted to show support for protesters by announcing reform plans aimed at rectifying past mistakes and fostering greater diversity and fairness.

Unlike significant anniversaries of influential historical events that typically spark documentaries and prime-time specials led by prominent journalists, many television news networks opt for a more restrained approach when commemorating the Floyd anniversary.

The strategy is being implemented at a critical juncture, spurred by the Trump administration’s attacks on civil rights, particularly those aimed at challenging diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives set up following George Floyd’s death.

Investigations into the impact of George Floyd’s death on our nation and justice system continue to progress. PBS, NewsNation, and other platforms are preparing special programs that reflect on Floyd’s lasting legacy. KMSP Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul has created “After George Floyd,” a documentary exploring “what improvements have been made — and where more work is needed.” Hosted by Symone Woolridge of KMSP, this hourlong documentary will stream on the Fox LiveNOW platform and be accessible for stations across the country. The report will air locally on KTTV Fox 11 in Los Angeles on Friday and Sunday.

Other major news channels are adopting more moderate approaches. Representatives from CBS, NBC, and CNN confirmed they will provide some coverage, but did not reveal detailed strategies, suggesting a thorough investigation into the event and its consequences may follow. MSNBC, which has been under scrutiny due to accusations of biased left-wing commentaries by Trump, has yet to respond regarding their future plans.

The anniversary of Floyd coincides with a period where MAGA conservatives and the Trump administration have consistently criticized mainstream media outlets that have been critical of the president and his policies. Lively discussions about supposed wokeness are now prevalent on networks like CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, among others.

Among the institutions facing criticism includes CBS News and “60 Minutes.” Recently, CBS News and Stations President Wendy McMahon resigned, stating in a memo to staff that it’s apparent that the company and she have differing views on the future course of action. This is just the latest episode in the ongoing dispute between the company and its journalists regarding CBS’ management of former President Trump’s lawsuit against the prominent news program.

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On Monday, McMahon wrote to CBS News staff saying, ‘It’s evident that our visions for the future are not aligned.’

Trump has also criticized ABC News, who agreed to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential library as part of a settlement over an erroneous claim made by anchor George Stephanopoulos on air, stating that the then-president-elect had been found civilly responsible for sexually assaulting author E. Jean Carroll.

Speaking about the media’s coverage of the anniversary, Selwyn Jones, Floyd’s uncle, stated in an interview that numerous individuals think the underlying systems haven’t significantly altered since his nephew’s passing.

He stated, “This is the cause for the ongoing increase in incidents of police brutality and domestic violence. George’s case, which was so shocking to many, was like a global earthquake. It was an unparalleled disaster that jolted countless individuals into awareness.

The co-founder of Justice 929 Organization, Jones, who established this charity to champion civil rights and social change inspired by Floyd, expressed his disapproval towards the media and the justice system. He stated, “Indeed, there are more individuals involved in the social movement than ever before. However, is the media matching that pace? Definitely not. As for the political climate, we’re not witnessing significant changes in the laws.

Philip Atiba Solomon, a psychologist and head of African American Studies at Yale University, expressed his doubts about the news stories claiming significant changes have occurred. He voiced his concern that many articles might be making presumptions about the impact of George Floyd’s death. He hopes that we as a nation have transformed, but he is unsure of concrete evidence to support this claim.

Solomon is one of the founders of the Center for Policing Equity, often recognized as America’s foremost group dedicated to eradicating racism within public safety sectors. In collaboration with Time magazine, they published a unique issue in May, filled with interviews and essays that delve into the ongoing fight for racial fairness.

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In the closing days of the Biden administration, Minneapolis consented to a legal agreement (consent decree) with the federal government in January, which will require them to revamp their police training and use-of-force procedures under judicial oversight.

He worried that some media reports about the anniversary could portray an inaccurate picture of the advancements made over the past five years: “I’m not convinced that there has been a complete transformation in public safety – certainly not to the extent that the nation was seeking at that time.

Much of the Floyd coverage will be locally based.

Emily Stone, vice president of digital content for Fox TV stations, described Floyd’s death as a significant and relevant story on a national scale, which was tragic. She mentioned that people would be drawn to the coverage we are providing from Minneapolis via Fox LiveNow. She added that our local station can provide a unique perspective, which we can then broaden to reach a wider, national audience.

At the time when the news about George Floyd’s passing was made public, Kelly Bishop-Huffman held the position of assistant news director at Fox’s KMSP station.

From the very beginning, it was clear to everyone that we were confronting a long-overdue situation regarding our nation, as Huffman stated. When I watched that video, I immediately sensed that it marked a decisive point, a clear dividing line.

Regarding the ongoing discussion about the recent incidents of violence, Huffman emphasized that it’s crucial to keep shedding light on the nation’s racial issues. “We see advancements in several aspects, yet perhaps not as much as some might think,” she explained. “Our aim is to stay vigilant and focused. It’s essential to understand our past, but we are primarily concerned with the present and looking towards the future. This is the focus of our narratives.

For Jones, there is no such thing as too little coverage when it comes to Floyd’s death.

Jones stated that if he had power over all events, George Floyd would be a daily topic in mainstream media. Regrettably, such control isn’t possible. However, some matters have a short lifespan. Jones’s nephew will have one annual weekend when people worldwide remember the day that George Floyd made a profound impact on the world.

Here are other planned reports that could appear on national broadcasts in the coming days:

  • ABC News national correspondent Alex Perez, one of the first reporters on the scene after Floyd’s death, and who also covered the protests and the aftermath, will file a report from George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. ABC-owned television stations in Texas and North Carolina will sit down with Floyd’s loved ones as they reflect on his life and legacy.
  • CBS Minnesota is checking in with the Black community and Minnesotans to see how they are doing and feeling about the anniversary. Reporters will also interview local police, community members and city officials about the stalled plans to create a monument at George Floyd Square.
  • Fred de Sam Lazaro, special correspondent for the PBS News Hour, will report on the status of racial justice and police reforms in Minneapolis, conducting interviews with Floyd’s family members and Medaria Arradondo, the Minneapolis police chief at the time of the incident.
  • NewsNation is set to cover a commemorative walk at George Floyd Square on Saturday, with additional reporting during the weekend. “On Balance” anchor Leland Vittert, who covered the 2020 protests, will also offer his perspectives.

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2025-05-23 13:32

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