Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of an NBC News affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has fired two managers after they instructed staff to provide unbiased coverage of Pride Month events and acknowledged that stories related to LGBTQ issues could be divisive among the station’s largely conservative audience. The news director, Stanton Tang, and his deputy, Amy Fox, were dismissed on Thursday following a two-week investigation. Additionally, two other employees, executive producer Luke Stier and producer Madeline Odle, were let go for allegedly leaking the internal coverage memo that sparked the controversy.
Nexstar Media Group, headquartered in Texas, is the largest operator of broadcast television outlets in the United States, with 200 stations nationwide. The incident at WOOD-TV began when Tang directed Fox to draft a memo on the station’s coverage of Pride Month events. The memo cautioned that some reports on Pride-themed events “are going to be controversial and polarizing in our community” and emphasized that while personal opinions may vary, viewers are entitled to their own perspectives.
The directive also urged employees to be thoughtful in selecting which stories to pursue, stating, “We need to do some work to discern the newsworthiness of the event. If we are covering Pride events, we need to consider how to make the story balanced and get both sides of the issue.” However, several WOOD-TV staffers protested the memo and walked out on June 13 when it was distributed. Two days later, Stier voiced his opposition on Twitter, claiming that the memo was not being followed.
Michele DeSelms, a news anchor at the affiliate, criticized the directive, stating that it essentially required staff to “give equal time to hate and discrimination.” She added, “We said no and will continue to fight for our LGBTQ colleagues, family members, friends, and the community.” Nexstar spokesperson Gary Weitman issued an apology on behalf of the company, acknowledging that the memo was inconsistent with their values. He stressed that “diversity, equity, and inclusion are among Nexstar’s core values” and that their local TV stations are expected to provide expansive and inclusive news coverage.
The decision to terminate Tang, Fox, Stier, and Odle came after a thorough investigation by Nexstar, which aims to uphold its commitment to diversity and fairness. The company’s action demonstrates its dedication to providing unbiased news coverage to viewers while embracing inclusivity and respecting different viewpoints.
In conclusion, Nexstar Media Group’s firing of two managers at its Michigan NBC affiliate for their directive to provide balanced coverage of Pride Month events reflects the company’s commitment to diversity and impartial reporting. By taking this action, Nexstar upholds its values of inclusivity and ensures that its local TV stations cover news in a fair and expansive manner.
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