Fox News Media To Capitalize ‘Black’

Fox News Media today joined The Associated Press and other media outlets in changing its editorial style to capitalize Black when it is used as an adjective describing people, a community or culture. (Fox News Media encompasses Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox News Digital, Fox Nation and the Fox News Audio radio and podcast division.

Below is the memo that went out from Jon Glenn, vice president of news writing and style and senior executive producer.

We are making this adjustment after consulting our own diversity team, and after careful research into the history of language, culture, and customs.

This change also ensures “Black” is in line with our current styles for other racial/ethnic groups (including Asian, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Native American.) If the subject of a story prefers a more precise description (for instance, “African American” or “Haitian American”) we will use that preference whenever possible.

The National Association of Black Journalists recommends that whenever a color is used to appropriately describe race, it should be capitalized, including White and Brown. We will follow that recommendation. Additionally, avoid using these terms as nouns, particularly in their singular forms.