ESPN and ABC may not want to hear it, but Stephen A. Smith recently forecasted troubling times ahead for legacy media during his appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity. The discussion touched on the media’s handling of Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated for his comeback term as president next Monday, Jan. 20. Hannity proudly listed the polarizing issues he has been “right” about, including Trump.
“All of the legacy media that for nine years has demonized this man… do you believe their days are now numbered?” Hannity asked Smith. “Because I think legacy media is now dead and they killed themselves with a political agenda and dishonesty. Am I right or am I wrong?” Smith replied, “I think you’re closer to being right than wrong. Legacy media is in a world of trouble based on your description; I’m not here to dole out sympathy cards. There’s no excuse for it. Media professionals should pride themselves on being journalists; the first objective is to know as much as you can and to be honest about what you know and don’t know.”
He further explained, “You can be subjective about what you prefer, but ultimately, you must objectively gather information and ensure it is accurately disseminated. We’ve seen too many people take on an agenda or spin.” Smith expressed that media shifted toward partisan coverage once it became profitable, highlighting that opinionated pundits typically earn more than unbiased journalists. Hannity claimed that networks like CNN and MSNBC not only engage in partisan coverage but also disseminate “fake news” and conspiracy theories about Trump, to which Smith did not push back.
“Donald Trump, there’s no way I think the man is innocent of every single little thing, nor do I believe he’s guilty of everything they say,” Smith stated. “What I will say is that he won the election. The American people have spoken. What are you doing on Capitol Hill, still acting like you’re on the campaign trail, discussing him as if there are votes at stake? He’s your president now! You should be saying, ‘I hope he does well for this country.’ You can’t root against him just because you dislike him at the expense of the United States.”
While it’s valid to criticize legacy media for its sometimes shamelessly biased coverage, it’s important to remember that Fox News, which airs Hannity’s show, reached a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023. This settlement stemmed from a defamation lawsuit that accused Fox News of “recklessly disregarding the truth” to push 2020 election conspiracy theories allegedly propagated by Trump. Any assertion that Fox maintains principles on every issue contradicts Hannity’s initial complaints about agenda and dishonesty.
