Ohio newspaper edits black state lawmaker who sponsored anti-DEI bill out of photo of law signing

An Ohio newspaper has been accused of cropping out a black Republican state lawmaker from a group photo that had been taken during the signing of a bill to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the state's public colleges and universities. Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) sponsored the House version of SB1, the Enact Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine last month. Williams had posed for a photo alongside his colleagues, all of whom were white, during the bill's signing.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has been accused of deliberately cropping Rep. Williams out of the image in its report, sparking significant outrage. Williams, who made history as the first black Republican elected to the Ohio House, has said the publication pushed "propaganda" to fit a false narrative and demanded the outlet issue a correction and public apology.

The photo published by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, left, compared to the official photo taken during the event, right

"This is just another example of fake news mainstream media changing the facts to fit their narrative in an attempt to lie to Ohioans," Williams told Ohio News. "I was at that event, and for the Cleveland Plan Dealer to deliberately crop me out of the while while using it to discuss the elimination of DEI in higher education is dishonest and manipulative. I call on them to issue a public apology and correction of the public record. Ohioans deserve the truth, not carefully edited propaganda."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer had featured the edited image along with unfavorable reporting on the state's decision to eliminate DEI programs, a decision defined by lawmakers as racial discrimination and "deliberate media bias." Williams' Republican colleagues also expressed outrage over the matter.

Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) demanded an apology, saying, "The utter audacity to publicly discriminate against a black lawmaker when discussing DEI is atrocious! Rep. Williams deserves a very public apology from the Cleveland Plain Dealer without delay and without excuse."

Rep. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) added that the paper deliberately decided to push a false narrative. "Legacy media is dying because they can't resist the opportunity to spin reality," he said. "Cutting out Rep. Williams, who was an instrumental part of passing SB1, is a prime example of the never-ending spin."

Rep. Williams has established himself as a staunch opponent of DEI programs, believing that a person's success should be judged by merit rather than skin color, which is why he spearheaded the effort to eradicate DEI from Ohio institutions.

Senate Bill 1, known as the "Advance Ohio Higher Education Act," prohibits DEI offices, scholarships, and trainings at public institutions. The Act also prohibits faculty strikes and places some restrictions on classroom discussions of "controversial" issues, including race, climate change, and immigration. Supporters claimed the bill restored "intellectual diversity," but Democratic opponents claimed it threatened academic freedom and negatively impacted students and faculty of color.

The Post Millennial reached out to the Cleveland Plain Dealer for comment.