A local television news anchor in Alabama sparked outrage online for signing off a recent newscast by quoting the founder of an Islamic fundamentalist group blamed for inspiring some of the world’s most lethal terrorist organizations.
Ashonti Ford, 38, was wrapping up her 6 p.m. broadcast this past Thursday on Birmingham’s ABC 33/40 WBMA-LD when she cited a quote attributed to the late Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood.
“Before we go, a quote from the founder of the Islamic Brotherhood: ‘The quieter you become, the more you’re able to hear,’” she said as she closed the March 26 newscast on the Sinclair-owned station.
Ford returned to the anchor desk on Monday, though she did not address the controversy, according to AL.com.
Commenters on X quickly voiced outrage over the sign-off, with many questioning how the quote made it to air.
“Why is she still working?” one user wrote, while another added, “Is she still employed?” echoing calls for accountability at the station.
Others demanded immediate action from ABC 33/40, with posts reading “Fire her now!!!” as criticism mounted in the hours after the broadcast.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) also weighed in on X, writing: “Pure insanity. The Radical Muslim Brotherhood is a TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.”
The Post has sought comment from Ford, ABC 33/40 and Sinclair.
Jeff Cox, news director of ABC 33/40, apologized on Monday.
“I want to take a moment to address concerns about our broadcast last Thursday,” he said.
“The intent of our closing segment is always to end the newscast on a positive and thoughtful note.”
“The quote included that evening was not intended to convey any political or ideological message,” he said.
“However, we understand it was perceived that way and on behalf of the station, I sincerely apologize to those who were offended.”
Cox said the quotes that are read toward the end of the newscasts are picked through a standard editorial process, not by the “on-air talent.”
“Although this quote was read by Ashonti Ford, Ashonti had nothing to do with the selection,” he said.
“We have addressed the matter internally, and we are making adjustments to ensure our content consistently meets our editorial standards moving forward.”
“We value your trust, appreciate your feedback and we thank you for your loyalty,” Cox said.
Earlier this year, the US State and Treasury departments designated Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations.
The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna as a religious and social movement focused on promoting Islamic values in public life.
While it built support through schools, charities and community outreach, it also developed a more militant wing in the 1940s that was linked to political violence and terrorism.
One of the most frequently cited offshoots is Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that explicitly identified itself in its founding charter as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s broader movement.
Countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, while the United States in recent years has moved to label specific branches as terrorist entities and impose sanctions on them.
In December, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order classifying the Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as “foreign terrorist organizations,” following in the footsteps of Texas.
Earlier this month, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of DeSantis’s executive order.
