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BET starts a weekly news program on Friday described as a cross between Keith Olbermann and Bill Maher with a black perspective.
Called "The Truth with Jeff Johnson" and airing at 11 p.m. on Fridays, the program stars a BET personality who has also been an activist for the NAACP and People for the American Way. Its debut is timed for the Democratic National Convention.
BET, the most-watched network aimed at blacks, will also air Barack Obama's speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 28 live, just like its competitor TV One. Neither network, however, is airing John McCain's acceptance speech at the Republican convention the next week.
Besides election coverage and commentary on the week's news, Johnson said he wanted "The Truth" to address topics like the use of vouchers for private schools and health issues particularly relevant to African Americans.
BET has been criticized frequently in the black community for cutting back on news-oriented shows. But Johnson said much of the criticism comes from people who don't watch BET, and don't see how news has been incorporated into existing shows. BET was one of the few networks to cover Darfur in depth, he said.
"I have been encouraged by the direction we've been going in," he said.
