BET unveils weekly news show

In a year in which a black man will be the Democratic Party's nominee for president and more blacks have appeared on cable news programs than ever before, Black Entertainment TV is launching its own weekly news show from a black perspective.

Tonight at 11 Eastern, BET debuts The Truth with Jeff Johnson, a weekly program that launches its premiere episode with a discussion on race in the presidential campaign and a tribute to Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.

Hosted by political correspondent Jeff Johnson, the half-hour show is designed to "take a frank look at news, trends, pop culture, current events and politics from an unapologetically Black point of view," according to BET, the most-watched network aimed at blacks.

"Known for his in-depth analysis of political, social, and economic problems affecting African Americans, host Jeff Johnson will leave no issue unaddressed," BET announced in a press release.

This show is described as "a cross between Keith Olbermann and Bill Maher with a black perspective" and will combine investigative reporting and one-on-one interviews and a panel of commentators to review the week's events.

The show will also broadcast special 2008 election reports from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Leading media figures such as BET J host Keith Boykin (the editor of The Daily Voice) and political pundits Jamal Simmons, Keli Goff and Angela McGlowan will appear as panelists on the show and act as onsite correspondents at the Democratic Convention for a two-hour special on Barack Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday, August 28.

"With the launch of 'The Truth With Jeff Johnson,' along with all of our other in-depth political coverage, we are providing a unique and necessary perspective on the issues important to the Black community," said BET CEO Debra Lee. "BET News is committed to informing our audience with the news they can't get anywhere else, with a diversity of voices and opinions that our audience demands."

During the four nights of the Democratic convention, BET will run news specials on the top 10 issues facing black Americans, the key moments leading up to Obama's nomination, and other issues.

BET will also air Barack Obama's speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 28 live. After the Democratic Convention, the show will resume its regular weekly schedule through the 2008 presidential election and will review key events from the campaign trail and beyond.