Gospel artist Kirk Franklin announces boycott of GMA, Dove Awards, TBN

Gospel artist Kirk Franklin announces boycott of GMA, Dove Awards, TBN

Gospel music mogul Kirk Franklin said he will boycott the Gospel Music Association (GMA), the Dove Awards and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) after broadcasts deleted mentions of racial injustice from his acceptance speeches.

During his acceptance speech for Gospel Artist of the Year at the Oct. 15 GMA Dove Awards, Franklin mentioned the killing of Atatiana Jefferson, who was shot by a police officer in Franklin’s hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. Franklin requested prayer for Jefferson’s family and those affected by the shooting. The comments were deleted from the Oct. 20 broadcast of the awards on TBN. A similar incident occurred in 2016 when Franklin’s comments regarding other racially charged killings were deleted.

Franklin said he made his decision to boycott after prayer and consultation with his team and his pastor, Tony Evans. Franklin said his goals were “reconciliation as well as accountability.”

GMA president and executive director Jackie Patillo said GMA had apologized to Franklin and said the 2019 comments were deleted to meet broadcast constraints. Franklin’s comments are included in a video of the awards at tbn.org.

“Although completely unintentional we understand it caused great harm and deeply wounded many in the African American and gospel community,” she said. “… It is not our intent to disregard or silence any of our artists and we are deeply saddened by this perception and are committed to change this.” (BP)