Alabama TV Anchor's Closing Quote Sparks Controversy

ABC 33/40 apologizes after anchor Ashonti Ford signs off with a quote linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:34pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in black, white, and deep red, conceptually representing the controversy surrounding a TV anchor's closing quote.A TV anchor's closing quote linked to a controversial group sparks a social media firestorm, exposing the heightened sensitivity around political messaging in local news.Today in Birmingham

During an evening broadcast on ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama, anchor Ashonti Ford signed off by sharing a quote attributed to the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood. The quote, which said 'The quieter you become, the more you're able to hear,' quickly drew criticism from viewers who felt it was inappropriate. The station's news director later apologized, stating the quote was not intended to convey any political or ideological message, but that the station is making adjustments to ensure its content consistently meets editorial standards.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the heightened sensitivity around any perceived political or ideological messaging in local news broadcasts, and how quickly even small remarks can spread online and draw strong reactions from viewers.

The details

During the evening broadcast, Ashonti Ford signed off by sharing a quote that was attributed to Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood began as a religious and social movement, but has since been linked by U.S. officials to political violence and extremist activity. After the broadcast, viewers and others on social media quickly reacted, criticizing the station for including a quote tied to the controversial group.

  • The incident happened during an evening broadcast on ABC 33/40 in Birmingham on March 27, 2026.
  • On Monday, March 31, 2026, news director Jeff Cox addressed Ford's comments in a statement.

The players

Ashonti Ford

The ABC 33/40 anchor who signed off the newscast by sharing the quote linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Jeff Cox

The news director of ABC 33/40 who issued an apology and stated the station is making adjustments to ensure its content meets editorial standards.

Hassan al-Banna

The founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and social movement that has been linked to political violence and extremist activity.

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What they’re saying

“The quieter you become, the more you're able to hear.”

— Hassan al-Banna, Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood

“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. However, we understand it was perceived that way and on behalf of the station, I sincerely apologize to those who were offended.”

— Jeff Cox, News Director, ABC 33/40

What’s next

The station said the situation has been handled internally and that changes will be made to prevent similar issues in the future, but did not provide details on any disciplinary action or specific changes to its editorial process.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for local news stations to be extremely cautious and thoughtful when selecting content, even for seemingly innocuous elements like closing quotes, as viewers are highly attuned to any perceived political or ideological messaging. The swift backlash demonstrates the importance of thorough vetting and editorial oversight to maintain viewer trust.