Station's Ratings
News Dirctors
Reporter Job details
Yearly salary
Contract2 years
Paired with a photogN/A
Station market rank#3
Shawnda Adams
It’s a terrible place to work. The pay is insanely low for two stories a day. The news director, Shawnda Adams, and GM, Brent Hensley, allow blatant racism and overall toxicity to run rampant while gaslighting those who speak up. Also, don’t catch Covid on the job because you’ll be asked not to tell anyone and hassled on a daily basis about when you’ll be returning.
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
A photographer said the N-word in my presence and was allowed to continue working with other black journalists with no repercussion. I was told he was fired months after the incident before a group of photogs told me he quit and wasn’t fired. The news director later admitted he quit after lying repeatedly. It was later found out he had said the N-word in the presence of another black reporter and management was aware of that as well. I was also paired when several racist security guards during the protests following the death of George Floyd; when I sent screen shots of their racism to management I was told it wasn’t their job to background check who they hire and that it was that of the security company. I would then be asked if I could pretty much suck it up and finish the day out. The lack of opportunity is also very apparent for black reporters there. We weren’t even allowed to compete for some positions or even practice reed for reels while every other non minority reporter was allowed. Before all of this, we had a non minority female anchor refer to a black male anchor as a gorilla on live tv. She was not suspended nor terminated; according to our GM, she was “taking a much deserved vacation.” This is only the half; black journalists before me who worked there and ones I worked with that left had their own personal stories.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to work for that pay doing two stories a day, especially young black journalists who’ll likely face discrimination while not being afforded the opportunity of others they work with.
Anchor Job details
Yearly salary
Contract3 years
Paired with a photogN/A
Station market rankbetween 2-3
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
Former news director "resigned" after someone filed a complaint to corporate HR. Certain people are favored over others. Double standard vacation policy during sweeps. Surprised station didn't get sued for racial discrimination. Toxic culture in sales department too. It all starts at the top.
New news director is trying to change the culture.
We'll see if the GM lets her run the newsroom the way she wants it.
GM plays dumb about not knowing about things that go on there.
But it all starts at the top.
