*KTBS-TV meteorologist Rhonda Lee was fired from the ABC affiliate station after responding to a viewer’s comment on Facebook page.
According to the station, she along with a white male reporter, was let go for violating the company social media policy. Lee noted a viewer’s remark about this year’s award winners, stating they were “people of color.”
And then there was a question about her short Afro.
That’s when the pink slip came.
KTBS’ news director says a memo went out to staff members on Aug. 30 about responding to fans’ Facebook posts.
But Lee says she never got it. The company subsequently released a statement regarding the controversy.
“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.”
The writer of this story has apparently omitted some pertinent information such as the fact the station had no written policy at the time and they claim the policy was discussed at a meeting that Ms lee was not privy to. The ABC affilliate station also refused to remove racist comments when requested in a timely manner allowing those comments to remain for up to 6 weeks.It seems the station was more comfortable with racist comments by the mentally ill than responsible and professional answers from an intelligent black woman.
Umm…”BOOM”! exaaaaactly! Un-writen means…”UNEXISTING”! so..WTH!? And “I” believe someone at HER OWN STATION either IS “Emmit”(the illedged viewer) or knoooooows Emmit & had him write the statement against her/her hair! Why else would they “go in so hard” (no pun!)/respond so “personally” as if she had responded to…”them”/something THEY wrote!? And…as gar as I know?, there has been no “patern” of breaking the WRITTEN rules so…why “FIRE” her,instead of repermanding/having a meeting etc..!? See…for som reason?, they wanted her ‘g’on” period! And this shyt ain’t eeeeeeeven right no “over”! And I hope the sista sues the FK outta dey azzes, & makes HELLA “lemonade” outta this BS! Chuuuuuuuuch!
I’m sorry she got canned, but, I don’t think she should’ve responded on her job’s forum . . but, rather her own fb acct.
Sorry….”written”, pattern & as “Far” as I know! (Carry on)
Rhonda we love you. keep up the good work and stand proud.