We apologize to all viewers who were rightfully offended by the segment and we promise to enact and enforce new measures to prevent future incidents from occurring, he continued. Quotation [18] = " 'FTVLive is the Most Incrediable thing in our Business' - i24News" function showQuotation(){document.write(Quotation[whichQuotation]);} Meteorologist Barry Brandt and News Anchor Chris May both wore the wigs during the newscast and were later suspended by the station, according to insiders. Quotation [12] = "'has handed in his resignation, according to FTVLive.com' - TVNewser" The network, KATV, has condemned their actions. The station, based in Little Rock, quickly suspended the two news anchors and fired their boss after the evening weather report aired at 10 pm on September 16th. Understanding the severity of the situation, we have taken swift action to address it. Quotation[5] = "'FTVLive was the first site to break the Jay Leno story' - KNX Radio"; John Seabers, Sinclair's senior group manager for Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, firstconfirmed the firing to Max Brantley of Arkansas Times. Sign up with your email address to receive our newsletter. The KATV reporters were suspended, and the station's longtime news director, Nick Genty, was fired in light of the incident, The Post reported. // To add more quotations, continue with the Contact "We hope this is an indication of [Sinclair's] commitment to provide a newsroom that values and respects Black employees,"Tucker, the journalists association leader, wrote on TwitterThursday evening. The news director for KATV, Channel 7, has been fired, Sinclair Broadcast Group confirmed Friday. A KATV reporter since September 2016, the Louisiana native and former Miss Bossier City will be a news anchor at KFDM in Beaumont, Texas. This incident has taught me to be more aware of cliches and stereotypes and the damage they can cause. 2021-09-25 - BRIANNA KWASNIK ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE. The news director for KATV, Channel 7, has been fired, Sinclair Broadcast Group confirmed Friday. // ====================================== Little Rock, AR 72201, Toll free: (888) 322-6397 This incident has taught me to be more aware of cliches and stereotypes and the damage they can cause. Barry Brandt: Thanks, Chris. The KATV employees wore the wigs in a gag that the city's temperatures were cooling down to the '70s. I listened & learned: ALL managers are White. Anchor Chris May and meteorologist Barry Brandt have apparently been sidelined after appearing in curly black wigs during a segment in the 10 p.m. newscast Sept. 16 linking the return of temperatures to the 70s with a throwback theme of the 1970s. Two broadcasters at KATV, Channel 7, in Little Rock apologized Wednesday for their insensitive actions the previous month. News director Nick Genty was fired as a result, but the suspended anchor returned to the air Wednesday night. That episode, NABJ President Dorothy Tucker said, came in the wake of a "Mammy doll" being left in the newsroom to greet a new Black anchor. Quotation[7] = "'FTVLive Delivers some of the TV World's Biggest Scoops' - Tonawanda News "; The KATV reporters were suspended, and the station's longtime news director, Nick Genty, was fired in light of the incident, The Post reported. "Its tough to can prominent talent," one retired Little Rock newsman said. May and Brandt engaged in a play-on-words, referencing the temperature's "return to the '70s," by wearing looks popular in the 1970s, which led to sporting the Afro-like wigs. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Genty had been on the job since February 2011, when he was promoted from assistant news director. EXCLUSIVE Home win! Both May and Brandt had worked at the station for more than 20 years. It was a spoof on the 70s that just went wrong., This is beyond disappointing @KATV. Manes maiden season in Munich has been a disappointment, though it looks like hell get the opportunity to right his wrongs in the 2023/24 campaign. Twitter | It was just bad judgment, John Seabers, vice president and group manager of the Sinclair Broadcasting, told The Washington Post. // ====================================== In a statement to the Arkansas Times, Seabers said: "KATV-7 apologies (sic) for the poor judgement (sic) of some members of our news team. Quotation[4] = "'FTVLive a TV news website that is often on the money' - LA Times"; The Senegalese has scored just seven times in 22 Bundesliga appearances, with Bayern embroiled in an unusually close scrap with Borussia Dortmund for the title. Facebook // pattern, adding to the array. They apologized repeatedly for the wig incident and insensitive newsroom culture, and said those involved were being disciplined. Dorothy Tucker, president of the National Association of Black Journalists, tweeted that she had asked Seabers and Labbe about the doll in their meeting, and noted that the station employs more than 40 people, only eight of whom are black. It was insensitive. The souring situation quickly led to speculation Mane could be a one and done in Bavaria. The two faced backlash from local activists for the stunt and one of the parent stations execs issued an apology. That accounts for less than 20 percent of the staff in a city with a population that's 42 percent black. TV executives fired the station's news director, Nick Genty, and indefinitely suspended Chris May and Barry Brandt, the anchor and meteorologist who wore the wigs. // Free for all; but please leave in this header. The reporters got suspended, and the longtime news director Nick Genty was fired. We are also implementing further training for sensitivity and workplace conduct, in line with our commitment to ensuring events like this dont happen again. "Swift action was important to hold the responsible parties accountable," a spokesperson told AdWeek of the newscast. The gag prompted swift backlash from local activists. | | While the reporters were suspended, Nick Genty, the station's longtime news director, was fired, according to The Post. Claims Chelsea are lining up a shock swoop for former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane have been clarified by Fabrizio Romano. The news director for KATV, Channel 7, has been fired, Sinclair Broadcast Group confirmed Friday. This comes just a couple of days after FTVLive FIRST reported in a Patron Only story that Anchor Chris May and Weatherman Barry Brandt were suspended after wearing afro wigs during the newscast. There we also fake porn pics of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott posted on the Sinclair Slack channel according to sources. Keith Hackett says Diogo Jota deserved red card for Oliver Skipp lunge, LETS UNPACK THAT: From coronation chicken to King Charless veggie quiche, Benjamin Parker unpacks how different dishes have shaped the monarchys image. News director Nick Genty was fired as a result, but the suspended anchor returned to the air Wednesday night. May went first, and said the following: First, I want to. Quotation [19] = " 'FTVLive.com, a prominent television industry website' - Lexington Herald Leader" Quotation[10] = "'The statement from New York-based NBC was in response to a report on the FTVLive' - Bloomberg"; Please visit www.BINNews.com for more information. "It was just bad judgment,". 5 min read. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Quotation [16] = " 'FTVLive.com a website I go too often for the latest news about the TV business (you should, too!)' Jamie Redknapp sells six-bed Surrey mansion he shared with both his wives for 4.95M Partygate civil servant Sue Gray could be barred from joining Labour for a year as 'vindictive' Cabinet Why you DON'T need to ask your in-laws' permission to propose! "Basically a lose-lose situation for Sinclair. "Then I heard about the Mammy doll that greeted a new Black anchor and fake porno pics of the city mayor on @WeAreSinclair's Slack Channel," she said. Personally, Im grateful for a second chance to earn your trust and to continue serving this city and this state that we are all so proud to call our home. "We have had meetings with both the National and Local chapters of NABJ [National Association of Black Journalists], and we will continue an open line of communication," Rose said. Quotation [20] = " ' first published by the website FTVLive' - The Hill" Already getting in the party mood! According to Tucker, station managers met with the Central Arkansas Association of Black Journalists and she listened in. Quotation[3] = "'The TV Blogger who broke the news.' - Gawker"; By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Roberto Firmino will leave as a free agent at seasons end, though Mohamed Salah is under contract until 2025. racism To celebrate temperatures dipping into the 70s after a sweltering weekslong heatwave, Arkansas' KATV anchor. In a statement to the Arkansas Times, Seabers said: "KATV-7 apologies (sic) for the poor judgement (sic) of some members of our news team. One department of Pep Guardiola's squad could experience major change this summer, with PSG lining up the wantaway Aymeric Laporte and two other defenders facing uncertain futures. And I want to sincerely apologize for my actions. "We remain committed to serving the dynamic and diverse community of Little Rock.". May, a Little Rock native who returned home in 2016 after big-market stints in Boston and Philadelphia, said he was sorry and thankful for being given a second chance, adding we must do better. Brandt, a KATV mainstay since 1997, said hed been insensitive in making what he once believed was a lighthearted reference to the 1970s using a prop [the wigs] during my forecast. He said hed learned from the criticism, which included complaints from the National Association of Black Journalists and several Channel 7 viewers who were offended. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; FTVLive was the FIRST to tell you in a Patron Only story that KATV (Little Rock) has suspended two of the station's Anchors after they wore afro wigs on the air. All rights reserved. Sources say this is just one of the incidents that many found racially insensitive that happened at the station. My intentions were irrelevant. And for that I could not be more sorry., May told listeners that the incident has led him to more closely examine myself and the station to more closely examine its mission and purpose in covering our entire community., In both cases we can and we must do better, he said. Quotation[0] = "'Mr. Lets see what will happen with the new coach, but for Mane decision time will not be now.. Quotation [14] = " 'FTVLive's Scott Jones one of the Most Important Media Reporters in America'- Mediaite" I appropriated a look that was not just unprofessional. According to Tucker, station managers met with the Central Arkansas Association of Black Journalists, and she listened in. 40+ employees, only 8 Blacks. 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On Oct. 4, Tucker posted on Twitter: We had productive conversations with @WeAreSinclair CEO and upper management. Sign up with your email address to receive our newsletter. Motorheads flock to Clarkson's Diddly Squat farm shop on Bank Holiday Monday 'Return to the 70s' gag on KATV gets a frosty reception from viewer and an apology - Arkansas Times, News Director at Sinclairs Little Rock Station Fired After Racist Incidents, Sinclair Broadcasting executives hold discussion on the KATV wig incident, apologize again - Arkansas Times, Do not sell or share my personal information. If the MLS Cup Playoffs started this weekend, the Loons would make the field and even be above the dividing line with the playoff field now bloated from seven to nine teams.