Filed Under » Jon Wolf

The media conglomerate run by NFL star Chad Ochocinco, Ocho Cinco News Network, has come under fire recently from fellow journalists claiming that OCNN deliberately shies away from key news stories.

“Not one. Not one news story critical of President Obama or his administration has aired on OCNN,” Fox News personality Glenn Beck told viewers on his show today. “Meanwhile our republic heads ever closer to destruction because OCNN and the rest of the mainstream media isn’t serving the public.”

OCNN was started in October 2009 by Ochocinco as a way to communicate directly to his fans. Since then OCNN has expanded during a time of media cutbacks, and now reports on such topics as what Ochocinco did last Saturday night, how Ray Rice felt after seeing “The Blind Side,” and what kind of sexual positions Chris Cooley and his wife use most. The network is soon expected to pass CNN and MSNBC in ratings. But other members of the press are starting to expect more.

Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh has said OCNN’s growth is due “social concern.”

“The media has been very desirous that a black wide receiver do well in its business,” Limbaugh told listeners.

But it isn’t just conservative members of the media that are publicly calling out OCNN for its journalistic failings. MSNBC correspondent Keith Olbermann spoke out Wednesday night on his show.

“Chad Ochocinco, sir – if that is even your name, sir,” railed Olbermann. “You have within your power to help bring change that this country desperately needs. Health care, sir. Gay marriage, sir. And an immigration policy that serves the many people in this country that share your Mexican background. There are two unjust wars being waged, sir. Or do you not care to have Pat Tillman’s blood on your hands?”

Ochocinco has been uncharacteristically silent on the criticism. His most recent Twitter update read, “@tammytorres roses are red violets are blue no more being lonely now I have you—POW—THAT WAS SO CORNY”.

Following closely on the heels of the announcement that a whites-only basketball league will launch this summer, Pistons forward-center Kwame Brown told the press that he has aspirations to be the first black player in the AABA.

The All-American Basketball Alliance, proposed by commissioner Don “Moose” Lewis, would consist of 12 teams featuring only white, American-born players. If Brown were to play in the league, it would be groundbreaking.

“Like Dr. Martin Luther King, I too have a dream,” Brown said after collecting 0 points and 1 rebound in 6 minutes of action last night against the Nets. “I know it’s a long time away, but someday I hope to tell my grandchildren that I was the first black man to play in the AABA. That hope is what keeps me coming to the gym every day.”

In 2001 Brown became first No. 1 overall draft pick to be selected straight out of high school, and Washington Wizards general manager Michael Jordan predicted greatness for him. Since then Brown played four years for the Wizards before being traded to the Lakers, the Grizzlies and most recently, the Pistons.

“I love the league for every opportunity they’ve given me,” Brown says, “but I think I’ve accomplished everything I can in the NBA. Breaking cultural barriers is where I can achieve the greatness that was destined for me.”

Brown’s announcement comes as a shock, since the AABA is not even a reality yet. And if it were to become a real, functioning basketball league, Brown would still have to get past the enormous obstacle that is the AABA’s cardinal rule: whites-only.

“I know it will be a struggle at first,” Brown says, “but I know that I can overcome any possible hurdles that may come up. My past shows that I’m determined and hard-working, and I believe that I’m destined to do this. If there’s anywhere I belong, it’s playing basketball in a league consisting only of white NBA rejects.”