Former ABC News correspondent Terry Moran has recently acknowledged what many have suspected for years: his former employer has been “biased” against Donald Trump. After nearly three decades with the network, Moran found himself out of a job in June, following some pointed remarks he made on social media about Trump and White House advisor Stephen Miller. Now, he’s sharing his thoughts on various platforms, exploring the future of media and the concerns of bias in reporting.
In a post on his Substack, Moran reflected on his time at ABC News. He expressed pride in his work but admitted to a certain degree of bias at the network. He observed that ABC News, like many major institutions in the U.S., struggles with a lack of diverse perspectives. This, he thinks, affects coverage and leads to skewed narratives.
Moran noted that when he joined ABC, the leadership was predominantly “white men.” He mentioned that while ABC has worked on fostering diversity, it hasn’t always succeeded in bringing in varied perspectives—especially regarding Trump. “There aren’t many voices that supported him on ABC,” he wrote, which he believes has influenced coverage in significant ways.
He elaborated that it’s not necessarily malevolent bias at play, but rather a disconnect between the newsroom and the broader American public. It feels, in his view, somewhat detached—like trying to understand nature by going to a zoo instead of being out in the wild. While Moran acknowledges that this perspective might come off as surprising given his recent dismissal, he maintains he often played the role of a defender of different viewpoints in the newsroom.
In his posts, he discussed his reputation among colleagues for trying to understand the Trump-supporting demographic better, suggesting that, perhaps, mainstream networks often miss the mark on comprehending this significant political force. “Yes, I believe old news networks have a bias,” he concluded.
ABC News hasn’t commented on Moran’s statements. His departure, it seems, came right after an interview with Trump that had its share of tense moments. He described Miller as symbolizing a form of malignancy within the political discourse, emphasizing his ability to harness negative sentiments, which strikes Moran deeply. He referred to both men in stark terms, suggesting their impact on the media landscape was significant but often troubling.
In the wake of his exit, staff at ABC News reportedly had mixed feelings but honored Moran’s long-standing contributions to the network. He stated he doesn’t regret his outspoken views on social media, even though they ultimately cost him his position. It’s an unsettling moment for journalists grappling with these complex narratives in the current media climate.
