ABC News suspended one of its veteran correspondents late Tuesday for unguarded remarks he made in a video by operatives of Project Veritas, the conservative group that records undercover footage of mainstream journalists to bolster its accusations of media bias.
The network disciplined David Wright, who reports for ABCs signature news programs, including World News Tonight, Good Morning America and Nightline, several people confirmed late Tuesday.
The choppy, poorly shot video, released Wednesday morning by Project Veritas, captured Wright on what appeared to be a hidden camera, seeming to complain in general terms about political coverage.
I dont think were terribly interested in voters, he said, echoing gripes about the superficiality of some aspects of White House and campaign coverage that have been raised by journalists for decades. Also: Commercial imperative is incompatible with news.
At one point he says: We dont hold him to account. We also dont give him credit for what things he does do. In subtitles, Project Veritas indicated that him stood for President Trump.
But ABC probably was also alarmed at Wrights criticism of ABC News, which is owned by the Disney Co. At another point, he raises another longstanding critique of ABC News that it blends news with promotion of Disney-owned movies and TV programs.
Like now you cant watch Good Morning America without there being a Disney princess or a Marvel Avenger appearing, he says. Its all self-promotional.
In a statement Wednesday, ABC News said, Any action that damages our reputation for fairness and impartiality or gives the appearance of compromising it harms ABC News and the individuals involved. David Wright has been suspended, and to avoid any possible appearance of bias, he will be reassigned away from political coverage when he returns.
In the video, which the group said was taken while Wright covered the New Hampshire primary, a voice asks the reporter if he considers himself a Democratic socialist, and Wright seems to reply, more than that, I consider myself a socialist.
Wright didnt respond to several requests for comment Tuesday.
Project Veritass founder, James OKeefe, teased the release of the video on Twitter on Tuesday with the hashtag #ExposeABC. He tweeted that his group will expose ABC News agenda to mislead voters and push their own narratives and said in response to the upcoming release that ABC News had suspended the correspondent involved. He didnt identify Wright or provide details.
Wright, 56, is one of ABCs most seasoned and versatile correspondents, having joined the network nearly 20 years ago. He has covered the White House and was Nightlines lead political reporter during the 2016 presidential campaign. He has also periodically reported from the Middle East and Europe, including covering the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris last year. He shared a 2004 Emmy Award for his reporting from Iraq and shared a Peabody Award for reporting in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.