Shreveport Station Breaks Silence Concerning Fired Employees
KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport has commented officially about the firings of Rhonda Lee and Chris Redford. The following was posted on the station's facebook page:
Typically this station does not comment on personnel matters, but due to the publicity and interest about this issue, the station has included the following statement.
On November 28, 2012, KTBS dismissed two employees for repeated violation
of the station’s written procedure. We can confirm that Rhonda Lee was
one of the employees. Another employee was a white male reporter who was
an eight year veteran of the station. The policy they violated provided
a specific procedure for responding to viewer comments on the official
KTBS Facebook page. Included is an email that was sent to all news
department employees informing them of this procedure. This procedure is
based on advice from national experts and commonly used by national
broadcast and cable networks and local television stations across the
country.
Unfortunately, television personalities have long been
subject to harsh criticism and negative viewer comments about their
appearance and performance. If harsh viewer comments are posted on the
station’s official website, there is a specific procedure to follow.
Ms. Rhonda Lee was let go for repeatedly violating that procedure and
after being warned multiple times of the consequences if her behavior
continued. Rhonda Lee was not dismissed for her appearance or defending
her appearance. She was fired for continuing to violate company
procedure.
click the pic to see email
Seems the former KTBS weather guesser is getting alot of publicity. Her "story" has appeared on several ethnic online sites.. Clucth Magazine...and Jezebel...
Seems the former KTBS weather guesser is getting alot of publicity. Her "story" has appeared on several ethnic online sites.. Clucth Magazine...and Jezebel...
posted by ATN @ 11:18 PM
42 comments
42 Comments:
i am waiting for al sharpton to show in in shreveport.
Maybe Chris Redord could push wheelchairs at The VA Hospital. Oh wait he has been fired from that too.Maybe the gay Radio shack needs some help.
Love this site. People post anonymously. No accountability. You must be in hog heaven Turney!
I have seen it time and time again at the various stations I have worked where they wanted to get rid of someone who has been there for a while. They will trot out the old broke company policy rule, as the "official" reason, not the real reason for the termination. Normally it is a policy no one else follows and is selectively enforced.
Rhonda was on CNN with Soledad O'Brien discussing her being fired:
http://startingpoint.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/12/fired-for-defending-her-hairstyle-on-facebook-ex-ktbs-meteorologist-rhonda-lee-other-people-are-given-platforms-i-was-given-a-pink-slip/?iref=allsearch
Rhonda on CNN
http://startingpoint.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/12/fired-for-defending-her-hairstyle-on-facebook-ex-ktbs-meteorologist-rhonda-lee-other-people-are-given-platforms-i-was-given-a-pink-slip/?iref=allsearch
Check her track record.....I was offended by her Southern White Boy comment....and, if you are told not to do something and you continue to do it...well its like the addage for the definition for insanity....continuing to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results each time.
Im a white male who thinks that the lady looked very pretty the way she presented herself, and that this whole thing should never had happened. Haters shall hate, and dummies shall contribute, as evidenced right here. It's sad this happened, but this pretty lady shall now, thanks to all hating, wind up in a better position making more money and be able to flaunt her beauty once again. ��
FWIW, she should've ignored the comment because people who would post something like that in the first place don't have a clue. She's Af-American, obviously her hair and overall appearance was acceptable by the station's mngmnt who hired her. The "white boy comment" must've really irked "White-boy Wray" and they had to respond by firing her.
KTBS policies are elastic and written in vapor, there's been one or two folks there who've contacted the state labor board in such instances. But you never hear anything about that now do you?
I didn't know "online sites" could be "ethnic" ... interesting
Either way, you can bet that the Wrays are wondering how big a check they're going to have to write this time to make this go away. They've done it before, guess they'll never learn from their past mistakes.
Rhonda and Chris were both terminated for other reasons,we know the likely reason for Chris.Does anyone know the real reason on Rhonda?
What's the real reason for Redford?
Are you serious 6:12 PM? With everything that's been discussed about Redford on this blog in multiple threads, and you still can't figure it out?
Everyone I know who did not like Rhonda are white, FOX "News" watching, Mitt Romney voting, Republicans. Go figure.
So Rhonda doesn't get a chance to respond but this lady does?
http://shine.yahoo.com/visit-britain-us/overweight-news-anchor-takes-fat-shaming-bully-task-193700343.html
Perhaps she should have made an editorial. Oh, that's right that takes support from your station.
I call ktBS on this one. I hope she sues them blind.
@7:28 Racist much? Or just a complete idiot?
You people need to take a look at the act of love and quit fussing about every little thing. People like Chris Redford have "made their beds" but I wish them all the best in life. Rhonda, on the other hand, was a victim if she was encouraged to not defend herself.
I don't really like the anonymous nature of the posts, but on the other hand, I guess more people would be fired if they were caught taking up for themselves. I looked to the left of this box and see someone is out here bashing Turney again. Geeez - find a job so you can pay all the people back what you owe them. Louisiana is not a tolerant place for spineless, petty thieves. Maybe a state like Maine would suit you better.
I agree - Redford owes just about everyone in the parish. Maybe Maine would be a safe haven for him.
No, Texas. It's the best state in the union to file bankruptcy in.
7:28's comments remind me of the OJ Simpson case a few years ago. The blacks, regardless of all the overwelming evidence, thought Simpson was innocent, while the whites thought he was guilty. That's what this issue looks like.
@8:12 PM Dec 12 and 8:14 AM Dec 13
I posted the 7:28 PM Dec 12 comment and both of you have it so wrong. FYI I am white, and all I did was make a factual statement about people I personally know who have told me to my face they did not like Rhonda. Everyone of them is a Republican. On the other hand every Democrat I know who watches KTBS has said they liked her.
My family is white, we're not affiliated with any political party and we thought Rhonda was doing a good job as a meteorologist. She seemed upbeat and enthusiastic each time she was on the air. Not taking anything away from anyone else but we liked her and were very surprised at the reasons she was let go.
I can understand her responses to the people who posted those negative comments. People here can't come to terms with the fact that most of Shreveport is Af-American. Seems that KTBS has a history of selecting mostly white on-air people which doesn't reflect the market. But that's how they roll. We don't blame Rhonda one bit for taking issue with this. If ALL PEOPLE had to face the same comments she has had to face regarding looks, race, etc; I'm sure then maybe everyone would understand where she's coming from.
And for KTBS not to delete those insensitive remarks the viewers made right away, shows indifference which is probably why she has taken such a stand.
what the hell does a political party have to do with this!
Rumor has it KTAL ND, Chris Huston and anchor Nick Lafave, finally got their wish. Michelle White Lafitte was handed her pink slip this week.
Well I didn't see her in any station christmas image promos! Yay!!!
12:54 PM
If you read previous posters were getting into political parties & people they knew who hated or liked Rhonda Lee. Early posts were that folks who they knew who were mostly republican / white didn't like Rhonda and folks who were democrat both white & black did like here.
FWIW So that's the context. It may
help to understand the comments if you look at the whole thread.
Just a thought.
HI IT TIME TO PRAY.
STOP HATING SO MUCH.
like i said what he hell does a political party have to do with it. why does everything hvea to be assoicated with politics
Well it's no secret how big a "Red State" Loozyanna is. Wish I had a nickel for everytime I'd get an unsolicited comment from a Republican or Teabag Party member sharing their 3 cents on how screwed up things are. If you're a female OR if you're a black female and you stick up for yourself on solid grounds, you're gonna catch heat from the ultra-conservative good ol' boys. It's just that plain and simple. At least that's been my first-hand observation.
Preach on sister.
Rhonda was just on The Ed Show on MSNBC.
Just watched the rerun and Rhonda presented her side very well. I love that KTBS is finally getting the national attention it deserves. It's a horrible place.
For a more thorough, play-by-play of what happened to Rhonda, check this link out. It has audio comments made by KTBS management too. You'll have to suffer through a promo of this website but it is worth the wait.
Anonymous said...
Looks like she's still making the rounds on network cable shows & the web:
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/12/20/louisiana_tv_station_fires_black_meteorologist
Seen it. Still on Rhonda's side.
I was somewhat skeptical at first but after seeing this clip go into more detail as far as how things developed and her discussing her concerns with the ND before she got canned, I am now convinced that she got a raw deal from KTBS.
Of course she did. That is why most of us are on Rhonda's side.
The sad story to all this is that even though Rhonda may win or come out okay in all of this, it'll probably be awhile (if ever) before any ND will even consider her. ND's & their GM bosses are very risk-averse people and if anyone sticks up like she did and has a company taken to the woodshed (even if they deserve it), they won't consider her application. It's weird as idiot managers & news directors can get fired for doing really stupid stuff but they seem to land on their feet. But let a female (and an Af-American at that) fire back for legitimate cause and they become persona non grata.
Double standard, big-time!
NEWSFLASH: Chris Redford has just posted on his website that he will now be working for THE INQUISITOR beginning Monday, DEC. 31st as a reporter / photographer
Good, now he can talk s#!t about everyone openly.
Looks like Redford's "Inquisitor" gig didn't last long. He announced on his Facebook page that he's leaving reporting to work with Volunteers of America and work with wounded/homeless Veterans.
All he has to do is pass a "background check". Uh-huh...ok, good luck with that!
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