In an on-air report on the death of Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago, who was killed during a robbery at Walgreen's, News 12’s Sean Bergin blamed fatherless Black men for the various cases of cop killings across the country.

During his report, Bergin claimed that “young Black men growing up without fathers” has "so contaminated America's inner cities.”

Bergin also stated that so far the news media has lacked “the courage” to speak on what he says is the “underlying cause” of the “anti-cop” attitude.

A spokesperson for News 12 said, "It is News 12's policy that reporters must be objective and not state personal opinions on-air. In regards to the particular incident with Sean Bergin, the matter is being addressed internally and we don't comment on personnel matters."

Bergin was suspended and later posted on Facebook saying that he was offered “one day of work a week doing light features” by News 12. He declined the offer because he could not “survive on $300 a week.”

A Facebook page with more than 2,000 likes was created to show support in bringing back the freelance reporter.

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(Photo: John Minchillo/AP Photo)