A prominent Ohio newspaper is under fire after it was accused of deliberately cropping a black Republican lawmaker from a photo taken during the signing of legislation aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from public colleges and universities. The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an edited version of the image that excluded Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), the first black Republican elected to the Ohio House and a lead sponsor of the bill.
Rep. Williams, who authored the House version of Senate Bill 1, known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, was visibly present in the original photo taken during the bill’s signing last month. The version printed by the Plain Dealer removed Williams, sparking widespread criticism from conservative lawmakers and accusations of racial bias by the mainstream press.
“This is just another example of fake news mainstream media changing the facts to fit their narrative,” Williams told Ohio News. “To deliberately crop me out while discussing the elimination of DEI in higher education is dishonest and manipulative.”
The Plain Dealer used the edited image alongside a critical article on the new law, which bans DEI offices, DEI-based scholarships, and mandatory DEI training at state colleges. The bill also restricts classroom discussions of controversial issues and prohibits faculty strikes.
Fellow Republicans in the legislature swiftly condemned the newspaper’s actions. Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) called it “atrocious” and demanded a public apology. “The utter audacity to publicly discriminate against a black lawmaker when discussing DEI is atrocious,” Click said.
Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) echoed the sentiment, saying, “Legacy media is dying because they can’t resist the opportunity to spin reality. Cutting out Rep. Williams… is a prime example of the never-ending spin.”
Williams has been vocal in opposing DEI initiatives, arguing that they prioritize race over merit and foster division. “Success should be based on merit, not skin color,” Williams has stated in defense of SB1.
Supporters of the legislation argue it promotes intellectual diversity and curbs institutional discrimination by removing identity-based barriers. Critics, mostly Democrats, have argued the bill threatens academic freedom and harms minority students and faculty.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has yet to issue a public apology or correction, further inflaming backlash from conservatives who see the incident as emblematic of ongoing bias in legacy media reporting.
