A Mississippi news anchor's nearly four-decade career came to an abrupt end following controversial political comments on social media.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, David 'Dave' Elliott was terminated from his position at WLOX after expressing strong views about Trump opponents on social media platforms.
Elliott, who had been with the Biloxi-based news station since 1985, announced his departure through a Facebook post on Friday. The veteran broadcaster attributed his dismissal to the corporation's disagreement with his political viewpoints.
The incident that led to Elliott's termination involved a video he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the self-recorded clip, the anchor made controversial statements about Trump critics and the upcoming November 5 election.
Elliott broke from his usual stance of encouraging universal voter participation. He specifically targeted individuals who opposed former President Donald Trump, suggesting they refrain from voting altogether.
The news anchor's confrontational approach became evident when he characterized strong opposition to Trump as "a sickness." He particularly questioned the judgment of those planning to vote for Kamala Harris.
Most media organizations maintain strict guidelines regarding their journalists' social media presence. These policies typically aim to preserve objectivity both in professional settings and on personal platforms.
A former WLOX weekend anchor responded critically to Elliott's video. They questioned his journalistic integrity in light of the controversial comments.
When discussing the incident with the Sun Herald, Elliott attempted to differentiate between his professional role and social media presence. He stated his view that social media was merely recreational and separate from his journalistic work.
The termination was delivered by WLOX's general manager, Rick Williams. Elliott recounted to the Sun Herald that the conversation was brief, lasting approximately 30 seconds before he departed.
Elliott shared his perspective on the situation, stating:
I don't consider social media journalism. Social media is a toy. I have fun. I play. I look at is as satire. I get paid for doing television.
The veteran anchor's social media activity had been notably political, with numerous posts tagging prominent figures like Elon Musk and Juanita Broaddrick, who has accused Bill Clinton of assault.
The termination of a veteran anchor with nearly 40 years of experience serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of journalism. As social media becomes more integrated into daily life, the consequences of online expression become more significant for media professionals. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between personal expression and professional responsibilities in modern journalism. Media professionals increasingly face scrutiny over their social media presence.
