A conservative media watchdog and advocacy group claimed in an undercover investigation that WKU is exploiting House Bill 4 to continue teaching diversity, equity and inclusion. WKU said they are simply following the correct guidelines.
The organization Accuracy In Media published an undercover video on March 9, 2026, of a conversation between a member of Accuracy in Media and Bailey Cooke, an office associate in the school of social work, discussing DEI inclusion within the social work program.
Accuracy in Media is a right-leaning nonprofit that acts as a watchdog against liberal bias in the media.
President of Accuracy in Media Adam Guillette claimed that WKU is exploiting the law to “continue to teach divisive ideas like DEI” in its curriculum under the new House Bill 4, which bans universities from sponsoring DEI initiatives.
Cooke said in the video that the social work majors must follow the guidelines set by the Council on Social Work Education, which requires the DEI-related material to be taught, or the university could lose accreditation for the major.
The teaching of this material is protected under House Bill 4 as well, said Andrea Anderson, general counsel for WKU. Courses that require DEI instruction to remain accredited are exempt from the anti-DEI legislation.
Courses that require DEI instruction to remain accredited are exempt from the anti-DEI legislation.
Tania Basta, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, which oversees the social work degree, gave a statement regarding the video.
“In her attempt to assist what she believed to be a student, she answered questions thoroughly and accurately, pointing back to national accreditation requirements to which all accredited social work programs must adhere,” Basta said.
Guillette gave an interview for The National News Desk, a news organization that is affiliated with Sinclair Inc., a broadcasting company that provides services to over 185 television stations.
In the interview, Guillette said the organization contacted the universities they investigated for comments. WKU Spokesperson Jace Lux said otherwise.
“I’m not aware of any prior attempts to contact the university,” Lux said.
The Herald contacted Accuracy in Media but was given no response. Accuracy in Media has targeted numerous other universities throughout the country, including the University of Kentucky, the University of North Texas and Ohio University. These stories also include undercover video of administration staff, and all center around DEI being taught.
