PABJ STATEMENT ON CANCELLED DISTRICT ATTORNEY CANDIDATES FORUM

The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ), the nation’s first association for Black journalists, regretfully confirms the cancellation of our Philadelphia District Attorney Candidates Forum scheduled for April 24, 2025 due to a personal dispute on the sole behalf of the Democratic incumbent, District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Plans for this event had been underway for more than a year, including consultations with both campaigns as soon as they declared candidacy earlier this year. Given the immense community interest in this primary election, PABJ secured an unprecedented level of access for this event that included live broadcasting on television, radio, and digital platforms, along with a sponsored public venue in Center City thanks to a committed coalition of partners.

From the start, Larry Krasner and his campaign team worked to misdirect, derail, and suppress participation in this forum, both with PABJ and our journalistic partners. In the organization’s two decades of hosting electoral candidate forums, PABJ has never had a candidate misbehave in such a blatant and unprofessional manner. For any candidate to attempt to manipulate the public’s opportunity to be informed by a fair and researched debate is tyrannical at best, undemocratic at worst. For there to no longer be a televised debate during this crucial election is a major disservice and loss to voters and marginalized communities. PABJ’s Executive Board decries this affront to our organization, our partners, and the city’s Black community. 

“When an elected official chooses to avoid accountability from the free press – especially media platforms curated by local Black journalists – a major red flag presents itself,” says PABJ President Ernest Owens. “Larry Krasner isn’t above the law or approach and should actually model the democratic values that his campaign claims to stand for.”

PABJ remains empowered and grateful for our membership, sponsors, and partners in this now-cancelled event which includes CBS News Philadelphia, WURD Radio, Lenfest Institute for Journalism, and Museum of the American Revolution. We would also like to acknowledge Judge Pat Dugan’s campaign for their willingness to participate and for providing full transparency throughout this belabored process. 

PABJ remains unbowed in our commitment to continuing to produce candidate forums and other such advocacy on behalf of the Black community in the future.

Signed,

Ernest Owens, President
Ashley Johnson, Vice President of Broadcast
Monique Curry Mims, Vice President of Print
Manny Smith, Vice President of Digital
Tauhid Chappell, Parliamentarian
Camari Ellis, Treasurer
Theresa Spencer, Secretary
Charlene Horne, At-Large