Marc Lamont Hill, a Temple University professor and former CNN commentator, said that mainstream news outlets are "Zionist organizations" that create "Zionist content" during an appearance at a progressive conference.
He made the remarks at the annual Netroots Nation summit during a panel on "embedding Palestinian rights in the 2020 agenda," according to a report from Jewish Insider.
"You have to make choices about where you want to work. And if you work for a Zionist organization, you’re going to get Zionist content," Hill said during the panel. "And no matter how vigorous you are in the newsroom, there are going to be two, three, four, 17, or maybe one powerful person — not going to suggest a conspiracy — all news outlets have a point of a view."
He specifically named Fox, ABC, and NBC as examples of news organizations.
Shirts calling for consumers to "resist" racism, sexism, Zionism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism among other major social issues were also sold at the event.
Hill has a history of making offensive remarks about Israel. CNN fired him last year after he delivered a speech that trafficked in anti-Semitic tropes in front of the United Nations. Hill used the phrase, "a free Palestine from the river to the sea," which implies the end of Israel's existence as a state. The speech drew criticism from the Anti-Defamation League. He also endorsed violent resistance on the parts of Palestinians.
Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) defended Hill after he was fired, tweeting that "Calling out the oppressive policies in Israel, advocating for Palestinians to be respected, and for Israelis and Palestinians alike to have peace and freedom is not antisemitic."
Hill also posed for a photo with anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in 2016. Afterwards, Hill said he didn't approve of the photo being used for promotional purposes, but added he didn't regret meeting Farrakhan.