Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
A Houston television reporter for Fox 26 went off-script during a live broadcast on Monday evening prior to her weather report.
Ivory Hecker, 32, was on-scene for a live broadcast discussing the current heatwave in Texas when she took a shot at her bosses instead. Before she began discussing the weather, she let the audience know that the network, owned by Fox Broadcasting Company, silenced her on specific issues. She also said she is not the only reporter feeling pressured.
“I want to let you, the viewers know that Fox Corp. has been muzzling me to keep certain information from you, the viewers,” she said on air. “And from what I am gathering, I am not the only reporter being subjected to this.”
She added, “I am going to be releasing some recordings about what goes on behind the scenes at Fox because it applies to you, the viewers. I founded a nonprofit journalism group called Project Veritas that’s going to help put that out tomorrow, so tune into them.”
BREAKING: Fox 26 Houston TV Reporter @IvoryHecker Informs Network LIVE ON AIR That She Has Been Secretly Recording Them and Intends on Telling Her Story to Project Veritas #Fox26Whistleblower pic.twitter.com/wKbb1SaDGN
— Matthew Tyrmand (@MatthewTyrmand) June 14, 2021
Hecker finished what she had to say about the network and transitioned right into her weather report without missing a beat.
Project Veritas is a far-right group known for releasing heavily edited videos targeting mainstream media and left-leaning groups. Project Veritas has previously spread misinformation about Planned Parenthood and the Washington Post.
According to Newsweek, the group has been criticized for using deceptive tactics, like secretly recording subjects.
The nonprofit tweeted part of a phone call between Hecker and assistant news director Lee Meier Tuesday informing the reporter of her suspension.
BREAKING: TV Reporter @IvoryHecker SUSPENDED Effective Immediately Following Her On-Air Announcement That Fox Corp is “Muzzling” Her Reporting
"I wanted to call you and let you know that you are suspended, effective immediately." #Fox26Whistleblower pic.twitter.com/OPVCBoXtq7
— Eric Spracklen🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) June 15, 2021
Hecker told Daily Beast that she was let go by the network and the separation had been a long time coming.
“I have been longing to part ways with this strange, slightly unhinged corporation since last August when I realized what they were,” she told the outlet.
Project Veritas followed through by posting the interview with Hecker Tuesday night. In the more than 17 minute video, she accuses the network of censoring her. The interview included audio from her bosses at the network, with one telling her, “In my opinion, you’ve failed as a reporter.”
When asked why she is doing this, Hecker says, “It affects the viewers, that’s why I’m doing this. The viewers are being deceived by a carefully crafted narrative in some stories.”
Some of the audio played gives the impression that they care more about what their general manager or CEO thinks than their viewers. She goes on to allege a culture of racism, bias, and widespread censorship and corruption at the network.
