When news broke that Beni Rae Harmony, a local reporter with WICS ABC Newschannel 20 in Illinois, had resigned after being suspended for a simple, heartfelt tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, it became yet another reminder of how narrow the space has become for free expression in modern media.
Harmony’s words were anything but political grandstanding. In her on-air remarks, she identified Kirk as her “former mentor” and spoke through tears about the lessons she learned under his guidance. “Lean on your neighbors. Speak up for what you believe in. I don’t care what it is,” she said. That message—rooted in community, courage, and conviction—was hardly controversial. It was the kind of advice Americans once expected to hear from local leaders, clergy, and yes, journalists, who viewed themselves as part of the civic fabric of their towns.
Yet, rather than celebrate that moment of humanity, her employer suspended her. Harmony responded the only way she knew how: by walking away. “Effective immediately, I have resigned,” she said in a social media post, “after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday.”
She went on to explain why she could not compromise her values: “Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for honoring him on ai. My resignation is guided by values that are essential to who I am, which I refuse to set aside in order to keep a job. I choose my faith and love of country, and always will. Thank you, Springfield. My home. My community. My people. God Bless Charlie Kirk and his beautiful family, and God Bless these United States of America.”
Her decision reflects a growing tension in the press—where supposedly neutral spaces often seem far more comfortable ridiculing conservative figures than allowing room for basic decency when tragedy strikes. That double standard does not go unnoticed by the public, especially when a reporter’s career is jeopardized not for bias, but for humanity.
The response from ordinary Americans was swift and supportive. “Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and giving an amazing and heartfelt tribute. Your path forward will be a great one. Whatever you do next, I’ll be ready to share and support you. Proud of you,” one user wrote. Another added, “I’m sorry this happened. You deserved better! Proud of you for standing up for your beliefs. If I can help, let me know!” A fellow Illinois resident chimed in: “Hey fellow Illinois resident! You’ve got this. God is with you. You will never regret standing up for your values. God Bless.”
It’s telling that the support Harmony received came from everyday Americans, not newsroom executives or corporate gatekeepers. In choosing principle over paycheck, she underscored the very message she delivered in her tribute—stand up for what you believe in. That kind of integrity may cost her a job in a newsroom dominated by fear of offending the wrong ideology, but it may also open doors to something more enduring: the respect of her community and the trust of people who still believe courage has a place in American life.
Surely I ain’t the only one who sees the major discrepancy between how those on the left treat/celebrate violent leftists (mostly peaceful protestors) and those on the other side who try to be neutral and speak/operate from the heart.