Susanna Negovan, the Chicago Sun-Times editor of Splash who appears on FOX owned station WFLD‘s “Good Day Chicago,” is being called out by Chicago media writer Robert Feder.
On last Monday’s “Good Day” while reporting about a party put on by Tiffany & Co., Negovan told viewers about a crystal vase and a Tiffany book she was given by the high end jeweler before she attended the party.
Feder quotes one WFLD staffer as saying,
“You do a commercial for Tiffany and then show the free gifts you received at the end?” Calling it “a blatant ethical lapse no one else at any real news station would tolerate,”
Negovan also said her husband, WGN reporter Tom Negovan, attended the party. There was no word whether he received any gifts. “We probably each had about a thousand dollars in wine and champagne,” Negovan told viewers.
Feder said Negovan responded to his concerns regarding her ethics, “Hi Rob, Thanks for reaching out. My policy is not to solicit or accept gifts in exchange for coverage. The bud vase has been added to our box of upcoming donations. Thank you for watching! Susanna.”
Regarding Tom Negovan, a spokesperson for WGN told TVSpy what the station’s on-air talent do their own time is up to them and it trusts the journalistic integrity of its reporters.
Splash bills itself as “Chicago’s Dose of style, society and celebrity.”
TVSpy reached out to FOX for comment. We will update when we hear back.