BET Digital removes decades of online news archives

BET Digital is reportedly removing its extensive archive of online news articles, a move that has drawn criticism from journalists concerned about the loss of decades of Black cultural reporting. The shift appears to be directed by parent company Paramount to prioritize video content over written digital news.

As a result of this change, articles previously hosted on BET.com now redirect to video reports featuring on-air talent. This transition mirrors a previous shift at MTV News that eventually impacted the network's overall structure.

Journalists have expressed frustration regarding the lack of warning. HuffPost reporter Njera Perkins described the situation as “disheartening,” noting the increasing burden on writers to preserve their own work as digital media becomes more unstable. The move coincides with BET’s recent “Community Reporting” initiative, which focuses on local content from freelance contributors.