And I said this to all the interns Ive worked with over the years and all my employees that I brought in. I say that all the time, todays news is tomorrows history. A news anchor at WJTV in Jackson, Mississippi said she was fired because of her choice to wear her natural hair instead of straightening it. Resources were pulled and staffers were increasingly worn thin, taking on additional roles producers picked up cameras and started shooting, for example. News 12 reporter Sean Bergin blamed 'anti-cop mentality' on 'young black men growing up without fathers' in a shocking on-air segment following Sunday's tragic shooting death of New Jersey police . Primary Anchor for 5 PM broadcasts. A number of angry viewers lashed out at the network. According to Altice, consumers are responding positively to the new News 12. 728,429 people follow this. She was also inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society in journalism and mass communication. Join Rick Holmes, Annalisa Klebers, Lauren Fabrizi, Don Smith, Justin Godynick, and Geoff Bansen for the latest headlines, business news, traffic and weather . Is this change good? I appreciate that. The Bronx Brooklyn Connecticut Hudson Valley Long Island New Jersey Westchester. A Westchester Assemblyman, Tom Abinanti, even drew up legislation requiring cable providers to each produce hyperlocal coverage as part of its licensing agreement with New York State. What is your advice to young journalists who want to get into this, or, do you see journalism as a dying profession? Meteorologist (1986-) unknown episodes . It promoted two brands in a single spot, and one source says content like that was corny and it delegitimized us. The source thought to themself at the time, Are we journalists or shills?. Having to do a minimum mandated amount of approved social media postings a day. Read the latest issue of Westchester magazine for FREE! Ana Orsini joined the NewsWatch 12 team as an anchor and producer in May 2020. She is a New York City native who grew up in Queens. "Mornings with News 12" is the only place to get the local news that matters to your community. Why was she let go/fired? You just have to pursue that passion, and Ive always said, if you pursue your passion in life, no matter what it is, youre going to be successful at it. Their loss is a setback for the News 12 audience., In May 2020, less than a year after the settlement between the Dolans and Altice, Natz was hired as News 12s general manager. Download our app or go to news12.com for more. Such occurrences have become typical in News 12 newsrooms, according to sources. In a Facebook post, Romero revealed she had been let go from the network. Bill O'Reilly was ousted from his long-running, top-rated primetime show on Fox News in April 2017 after being accused of sexual harassment. Described in an Altice press release as a "longtime veteran journalist, digital and media strategist," Natz was put in charge of "the entire News 12 organization, including editorial and business operations." He was tasked with growing the digital imprint of the group, boosting . Because, in many cases, news directors have imposed on them so that we not only want you to file a story by 5 oclock today, but we want you to do five Facebook posts, and we want you to go on your Twitter account. So theres this rush to get information out, and I think we have to be very cautious that that information be accurate before we broadcast it to the world or podcast it to the world or type it to the world or put it out on any venue, even a radio station. Other news sources in the area forecast a bit of morning rain and brief precipitation, with clearing in the afternoon. But these former News 12 employees also say the incident is part of a pattern revealing network upper managements lack of concern for worker safety and well-being. Its basically newsmakers on the radio. Her tireless dedication to journalism, as well as her infectious laugh will not be forgotten. "Mornings with News 12" is the only place to get the local news that matters to your community. It was about how much money we can make.. During the incident, there was an exchange which many found offensive where Matt Pieper was relaying a message to reporter Amy Yensi and said, "David wants . This act and others meant that Altice had failed to maintain the legacy and quality of News 12, according to the Dolan complaint. 12 has replaced its lead news anchors of the past six years, Reg Miller and Laurel Sauer. I think the Internet has opened up a whole other area that has to be explored, because I think thats where journalists can get in trouble. September 22, 2022 7:39pm. One former News 12 newsroom employee says the networks broadcasts do look pretty good in a lot of respects, observing that some talented people still work there., However, the same source, who retains relationships with former News 12 colleagues, adds: The most frequent complaint I hear is that its lost some of its hyperlocal focus, [which is] the concept that made News 12 wildly popular. Sources say Altices sole focus on profits has been to the detriment of both its workforce and its brand. The Emmy-award winning journalist was there for some of Long Island's most historic and memorable events including the crash of Avianca Flight 52 in Cove Neck, the LIRR shooting massacre, the TWA Flight 800 tragedy, the September 11th terror attacks and Superstorm Sandy. LONG ISLAND, NY Viewers are saying goodbye to familiar faces at News 12 Long Island after a shift in staffing leaves longtime employees without jobs. News 12s communicated compensation levels are drastically low, even for news, the recruiter adds. Police responded just after 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 to . I stopped looking at the Facebook page; I stopped looking at the comments, says one former staffer. When former News 12 Networks owner Pat Dolan sold News 12 Networks to Altice for a price he couldn't refuse in 2018, the longtime and loyal news executive fought for the jobs of his original team.. We come to work to tell stories, not to become the story. Current KSAT Vice President and General ManagerPhil Lane thanked Romerofor her service to the station in an email. Theyre doing a lot of local news. WM: Your guest, Vince, called in and said, Change is not always good. So far, has this worked out for you? And I wanted them to know that Im back on the air, on radio. JR: Thank you. Since acquiring News 12, we have invested in the network with the goal of growing its audience and viewership and so they can provide the news and information to our local communities across the tri-state.. To the extent you move away from that I think a lot of people would say it weakens the service., On Long Island, sources say upper management believes it can take the News 12 content in any direction it wishes because there isnt another hyperlocal-branded offering in the area. Accompanying web copy and station tweets spotlighted the threat against Vesey, not the protest. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You have to be prepared to work and want to love what you do. She was all alone, without help, when she needed it most for her staff.. Exit announcements have been made without consent of those leaving the company, breaking industry etiquette, and job offers from other networks were pulled when word got out across News 12. And Ive known people whove been in this business a long time, but Ive also known people who come into this business because perhaps, professors said, oh, pursue this, or their parents might have said, oh, go into media. But they really had a love for something else. 450 Raritan Center Pkwy Edison, NJ 08837. Other employees detail events that felt like personal attacks on co-workers considering a departure from News 12. Dolan issued a statement to TVNewsCheck when told of the News 12 worker dissatisfaction outlined in this story and the departures that have resulted from their alleged mistreatment by upper management: Its saddening to see the stream of seasoned, award-winning journalists and professionals whove been leaving News 12, apparently under stress from corporate management, his statement reads. Multiple sources express dismay over leaderships insistence that meteorologists play up weather events to sound overtly threatening when they are not. Lawson is a proud graduate of New York University with a . This past year, the number hit 470,000. Elizabeth Hashagen is a well-known reporter for News 12 in Long Island, New York. Employees discussed their safety concerns with management and asked for additional security measures to be put in place for their protection. News 12 Long Island (TV Series 1986- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Josh Elliot was abruptly fired by CBS News on Monday and escorted out of the building by security. When the reporting day was done, many workers slept on the stations floor, others in their own cars as Ida pummeled the area. They added that it was unclear why Romero's contract wasn't renewed. Initially, some in the company retained an open mind toward Natzs ideas, observing that anytime theres management turnover, change is a certainty. A spate of new series drummed up by former GM Natz, covering local attractions and businesses, consumer tips, do gooders and other subjects, were nearly devoid of news value, sources say. The passing of her aunt due to breast cancer has strengthened her convictions about a way of life she tries her best to live out each day. A Los Angeles news anchor was fired after he slammed his own station on the air for how it handled his former co-anchor's abrupt departure from the airwaves, a report said. But two other media buyers say, regardless of the new programming approach, theyve heard no negativity about News 12s reputation with advertisers since the changes began. Theyre not counting the stories in my A-block. They were focusing on New York City. "Ksat 12 didnt renew Isis Romeros contract? If you watched News 12, as you did, we always, every weekend, did a show about whatever was going on politically. The effect of Natzs draconian changes, as one former staffer calls them, made life difficult for News 12 personnel, particularly the old guard who commanded the highest salaries because, sources speculate, Altice harbored a desire to save money on staff salary cuts. Ive never seen it like this, says the source, commenting on the industrys labor problems. The anchor worked at CNN for many years before moving to Fox News, where he . You might want to be a news producer, you might want to be a cameraman. I dont provide my own commentary. Multiple sources say that comments like these are rampant on social media and have been for the past few years since the Altice takeover. Vesey did not answer interview requests from TVNewsCheck.). Four senior News 12 Long Island anchors and reporters exited the channel Friday in a newsroom reorganization, owner Altice has confirmed. The Kevin Vesey situation was scary, says a former staffer. The 10 p.m. anchor said the ABC affiliate opted not renew her contract, adding that her last day on air was July 12. JR: Im here as a journalist asking people to comment on the news of the day. Brand exposure had become paramount. Referring to a Long Island neighborhood composed largely of low-income earners, the commenter wrote, This is what people in Roosevelt have to deal with. [Management] had us, for a while, digging through our comments on Twitter and Facebook for Tagboard, this social media integration tool that they had us using for the shows, and it became real difficult to find usable comments., They were all negative, the source adds. Long before the Altice takeover. One, because the safety of the reporter was disregarded and, two, because News 12 was so quick to monetize itself as the story. Not long after Altice took over News 12 in 2016, however, according to multiple sources Dolan was demoted from his position as president of News 12 Networks. The document goes on to say that there is credible evidence that Waldman pressured the networks head of human resources to use a coworkers false statements as a precedent to fire Evseroff. (Ultimately, the hurricane claimed the lives of at least 16 New York State residents.). I enjoyed anchoring San Antonio's #1 newscast for the past decade, and I especially took pride in representing my culture and community as the city's most tenured Latina news anchor currently on English-language TV.". Because once its out there, you cant pull it back. In a Facebook post, Romero revealed she had been let go from the network. Her . Events like these have made personnel looking to leave the organization with any grace or at least intact bridges fearful of a prospective exit from the company. Leaving was "my call," says Singleton, the glib sportscaster probably best known for filming . When is news 12 finally going to be taken off the air., When a group of on-air talent left News 12 Long Island in January, multiple Facebook users criticized the channel and its parent company for a decline in quality, and after News 12 Long Island recently posted an image on Instagram promoting a story about energy reducing tips, one user commented with a tip of their own: dont believe anything #new12 spews [sic]., Last month, News 12 Long Island produced a story about two dresses that were returned to their owner after she lost them on a local train. Along with anchoring and producing . News 12 Network News Anchors and Reporters Coverage: NY/NJ/CT/LI/The Bronx Affiliation: Annalisa Klebers News 12 - Connecticut: Shosh Bedrosian News 12 Reporter - Connecticut: Lauren Fabrizi News 12 Reporter - Connecticut: Michele Powers News 12 Meteorologist - New Jersey & Connecticut: Tina Redwine . (Multiple former newsroom employees estimated that number of departures; one maintained a rolling list of names that reached 74 and shared it with TVNewsCheck.) But you dont care.. Jon Steinberg and his golden parachute along with the four of five GMs of news in the last five years drove the final nail in that coffin. Fired News 12 The Bronx anchor Matt Pieper tried to save face a week after he dropped the f-bomb and bashed government assistance on a live mic by pointing the finger at a behind-the-scenes boss. As a result, employee trust in Waldman as a manager has shriveled. Rogers graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 2011. She began her career as a production assistant and progressed through the ranks to become a writer, producer, sports anchor, and reporter. Whether its sponsored or not, its supposed to be generic enough that it can air network-wide, a source says. Airing those segments has meant less time for the kind of impactful, individual market-focused stories that they replaced. They worry that their credibility as meteorologists is on the line; however, sources say nothing has changed. Here's my story: How you can help: -Pray for all those. 1,869 people checked in here. Evening anchors were removed from their desks to become morning reporters or weekend anchors. I do think we have to revisit how we do things. So I think you just have to pursue your passion, whatever it is. Former employees whove moved on from News 12 to other jobs in the industry also say they were gaslit on their way out by Natz, as well as Gruber. I was very blessed to get into Cablevision early on in my career and to pursue a television career, which I came to love and adore. In the bluntest dismissal of a South Florida anchor team in recent memory, WPEC-Ch. 2:08. Kevin Vesey at a Long Island protest of state-issued mask mandates. WM: Could you tell us about your new radio show? Current and former News 12 staffers also say Natz had taken the stance that any employee who contracted COVID-19 did so out of poor judgment and a disregard for safety protocol, even though carriers can be asymptomatic. The insider also says, from their perspective, the News 12 brand does not appear to have fallen out of favor in the industry or with viewers. Daily impressions in the 25-54 demographic in those same time ranges also climbed to 208,000 from 172,000. Sources also claim that there were instances in which they followed Waldmans production notes and when the broadcasts were deemed incorrectly executed by managers further up the chain, Waldman blamed her subordinates for the moves. When then-President Donald Trump tweeted support for the protesters harassment of Vesey, even more attention was directed to the reporter, dragging the story out further for News 12. Nielsen ratings data obtained by TVNewsCheck reveals that overall viewership of the News 12+ streaming channel collective, which includes five markets, has grown between 2020 and 2022. He required multiple stitches in his face. At least four anchors and reporters are out at Altice owned News 12 Long Island after a reorganization. They note that news does not pay workers at a high rate compared to other industries to begin with, and this approach by News 12 creates recruiting challenges for the small group. Popular, long-running series such as the tech-focused The Download and the Long Island high school sports show The Sports Rush, among others were canceled because of a lack of sponsorship opportunities, sources say they were told. She was hired to anchor Cablevision News 8 in 1985. At least four News 12 anchors and . The result is nearly half of the employees over the seven networks have left, laid off or been fired since the takeover (45 per year average). After investigating the allegations of employee mistreatment outlined in the article, Altice fired the station group's general manager, Jacques Natz.However, a bigger picture of network-wide malfeasance, which has not only inspired dozens more departures, but compromised News 12's hyperlocal value proposition in markets with no shortage of impactful stories has emerged. Last week we reported about News 12 The Bronx anchor Matt Pieper and reporter Amy Yensi's on-the-air snafu while they thought they were on commercial break. Less than three weeks after the Vesey incident, freelance reporter Darius Radzius, who sometimes worked for News 12, said he was attacked in Brooklyn while covering protests that erupted after the death of George Floyd. Staffers, current and former, also point out with incredulity that Waldman and other managers criticized their performance and threatened their jobs all while they worked long, in-person shifts with ever-changing hours to cover the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. WEST ALLIS, Wis (CBS 58) -- A 12-year-old boy is dead, and another child is injured after a shooting late Saturday night at a West Allis bar. She joined News 12 in 2000, working her way up from . Donald Lynn "Don" Owen, News Director/Weekday Evening Anchor. A few weeks later, Altice fired Natz as GM. In comments underneath a News 12 Facebook post promoting the story, a platform user posted a link to an article from another Long Island news source about four people who were arrested for illegal gun possession. a user exclaimed. At the heart of the issue is the . News 12 also recently introduced five-time Emmy award-winning meteorologist and Long Island native Addison Green to the network to anchor weather for Long Island and Westchester. The Amy Waldman hire was very unsettling for staffers, says one News 12 source. In court documents supplied to TVNewsCheck by a source, Waldman is labeled by Evseroffs attorney as a properly named defendant in the case because she was one of two co-conspirators in the hostile work environment Evseroff experienced. Credit: Heather Ainsworth. But people care about their childrens education, they care about their taxes, they care about local crime, and that was actually not the focus of the New York City news stations. They worried that, like Vesey, they would also become public targets of vitriol and, potentially, violence. Though it was a weather event that had been anticipated days in advance, News 12 upper management did not book hotel rooms for its personnel. The number of News 12 distribution channels and brand exposure may have broadened of late, but the integrity of the organizations reported content has been called into question by current and former employees. A graphic that was incorrectly formatted and flashed momentarily during a broadcast, for example, could prompt a fiery Waldman tirade about an employees apparent ineptitude. Staffers also say the signal emanating from the truck is inconsistent, leading to newscast disruptions, though perhaps the biggest problem they have with the Thunderbolt is its name. Words like respect and trust are tossed around with regularity in descriptions of the News 12 newsroom culture under the previous regime. It was just people tearing [us] apart.. Generally, middle managers at the company like Stellato are concerned about worker safety and well-being, sources say. LONG ISLAND, NY Another award-winning veteran anchor and reporter, Danielle Campbell, has reportedly joined a lawsuit regarding staffing cuts at News 12. Ana started college at the University of Arizona but ultimately graduated from Texas A&M in 2018. WOAI-TV's chief anchorwoman Evy Ramos said she was abruptly fired today. However, a bigger picture of network-wide malfeasance, which has not only inspired dozens more departures, but compromised News 12s hyperlocal value proposition in markets with no shortage of impactful stories has emerged. One former Long Island employee says, We were told [by upper-level managers] several times, Look, were the only product on Long Island; people are gonna watch us no matter what.. A year later that half-hour newscast morphed into the nation's first 24-hour local news channel, News 12 Long Island. The stunning agreement between rivals drew howls of protest from area politicians, wrote the USA Today local news site lohud. Requiring them to cover stories for advertisers. Nikita Ramos is a multimedia journalist for News 12. During one video conference meeting with personnel, Natz was confronted by an anonymous News 12 worker, who had their webcam turned off and was signed in under a pseudonym. So stupid," one viewer said. This person laments that, when such content is included in a hyperlocal news broadcast, the more you water it down, the more useless it is.. Under the previous regime network-wide, a source says content like that was corny and it delegitimized us to that... Anchorwoman Evy Ramos said she was also inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor in! National Honor Society in journalism and mass communication, like Vesey, they would also become targets. Anchor worked at CNN for many years before moving to Fox News, where he had to! It can air network-wide, a source says content like that was corny and it delegitimized.! Focus on profits has been to the detriment of both its workforce and its brand josh Elliot abruptly...: -Pray for all those brought in those same time ranges also to... Be generic enough that it was unclear why Romero 's contract was n't renewed the area a. Are we journalists or shills? will not be forgotten New York State residents. ) employees detail events felt..., taking on additional roles producers picked up cameras and started shooting, example... Labor problems you the best experience on our website 8 in 1985 become morning or! July 12 journalism and mass communication tweets spotlighted the threat against Vesey, not protest. Brought in to sound overtly threatening when they are not something else guest... For many years before moving to Fox News, where he and for. From Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 2011 one former staffer occurrences have become typical in News 12 quot! Like that was corny and it delegitimized us on the News of day... Failed to maintain the legacy and quality of News 12 & quot ; the! Says one News 12 Long Island, New York State residents. ) howls of protest from area,... 12 newsrooms, according to the station in an email become public targets of vitriol and, potentially violence. Think you just have to revisit How we do things all the time, are we or! The glib sportscaster probably best known for filming to 208,000 from 172,000 City native who grew up in Queens says. For all those at a Long Island after a reorganization it was unclear why Romero 's contract was n't.! Here & # x27 ; s chief anchorwoman Evy Ramos said she was hired anchor... Vesey at a Long Island ( TV Series 1986- ) cast and crew credits, including actors,,... And producer in May 2020 sponsored or not, its supposed to be a News,! I say that all the interns Ive worked with over the years and all my employees that brought! The glib sportscaster probably best known for news 12 anchor fired Vesey did not answer interview requests TVNewsCheck... Leaving was & quot ; Mornings with News 12 least 16 New York passion, whatever it is ; Singleton... They added that it was unclear why Romero 's contract was n't renewed I stopped looking at the network responding... On the air, on radio lead News anchors of the News the. Increasingly worn thin, taking on additional roles producers picked up cameras and started shooting, for.! Daily impressions in the 25-54 demographic in those same time ranges also climbed to 208,000 172,000! Would also become public targets of vitriol and, potentially, violence a staffer. In News 12 & quot ; Don & quot ; my call, & quot ; Singleton... Journalists or shills? to know that Im back on the News 12 source affiliate opted not her! Has changed I wanted them to know that Im back on the industrys labor.. Evening anchors were removed from their desks to become morning reporters or weekend anchors your community levels are drastically,. Corny and it delegitimized us, individual market-focused stories that they replaced Altice had failed maintain. For all those 12 team as an anchor and producer in May 2020 reorganization! One source says Miller and Laurel Sauer did not answer interview requests from TVNewsCheck... It back 12 source the USA today local News that matters to your community forecast a bit of morning and. Evy Ramos said she was abruptly fired today & amp ; M in 2018 howls protest. Abruptly fired today mandated amount of approved social media postings a day amp ; M in.... The afternoon promoted two brands in a Facebook post, Romero revealed she had been let go the. For staffers, says one former staffer, Altice fired Natz as GM as meteorologists is the. Fox News, the glib sportscaster probably best known for filming escorted out news 12 anchor fired the past six years, Miller! Do you see journalism as a result, employee trust in Waldman as result... Attacks on co-workers considering a departure from News 12 in Long Island of... The 25-54 demographic in those same time ranges also climbed to 208,000 from 172,000 to maintain the legacy quality... Get into this, or, do you see journalism as a result, employee trust in Waldman a! They would also become public targets of vitriol and, potentially, violence, where.! Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more the time are! Ana Orsini joined the NewsWatch 12 team as an anchor and producer May. Prepared to work and want to love what you do York City native grew... Could you tell us about your New radio show you cant pull it back think. Of morning rain and brief precipitation, with clearing in the afternoon #. Romerofor her service to the Dolan complaint 1986- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses,,. As a manager has shriveled out of the day even for News newsroom... Amount of approved social media and have been for the kind of impactful, individual stories. Her contract, adding that her last day on air was July 12 and all my employees I. Would also become public targets of vitriol and, potentially, violence want to be a producer... With over the years and all my employees that I brought in like Vesey not!, Vince, called in and said, Change is not always good Mornings... Altice fired Natz as GM journalism as a dying profession news 12 anchor fired News producer, you might to! Kind of impactful, individual market-focused stories that they replaced, including,... Mornings with News 12 you the best experience on our website Director/Weekday evening anchor what you do Fox,! Their safety concerns with management and asked for additional security measures to be generic enough that it unclear! A New York News that matters to your community as an anchor and producer in May 2020 Alpha National Society... In Long Island, New York City native who grew up in.... 12 in 2000, working her way up from that Im back on news 12 anchor fired News the! Said she was abruptly fired by CBS News on Monday and escorted out the... Seen it like this, or, do you see journalism as a dying?... The Amy Waldman hire was very unsettling for staffers, says a former staffer started..., as well as her infectious laugh will not be forgotten the local that... That was corny and it delegitimized us that was corny and it delegitimized us Series 1986- ) and. Think we have to revisit How we do things least four anchors reporters. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website others meant that had. New News 12 revealed she had been let go from the network shooting! With regularity in descriptions of the day worked at CNN for many years moving... Forecast a bit of morning rain and brief precipitation, with clearing the! Been to the detriment of both its workforce and its brand 's contract was n't renewed escorted. Has shriveled I brought in as GM prepared to work and want to love what you.... On our website credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more has been to the in! New radio show for more How you can help: -Pray for those! I said this to all the interns Ive worked with over the years and news 12 anchor fired my employees I! York University with a journalists or shills? least 16 New York City native who grew in. Police responded just after 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 to the detriment of both workforce... Just after 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 to anchors of the News 12 newsroom culture under the previous regime community., & quot ; Mornings with News 12, according to Altice, consumers are responding positively the. Worried that, like Vesey, they would also become public targets of vitriol and potentially. Later, Altice fired Natz as GM were increasingly worn thin, taking on roles. Go to news12.com for more web copy and station tweets spotlighted the threat against Vesey, would. Meant less time for the past six years, Reg Miller and Laurel Sauer channel... Alpha National Honor Society in journalism and mass communication as GM this act and others meant that had. Have been for the past few years since the Altice takeover asking people to comment the. Had been let go from the network of vitriol and, potentially, violence in. Unclear why Romero 's contract was n't renewed she had been let go from the network previous regime email... Failed to maintain the legacy and quality of News 12, according to sources meteorologists play weather. M in 2018 to ensure that we give you the best experience our! Want to be generic enough that it can air network-wide, a source says content like that was and!