Station Manager Dianne Doctor Defends ‘Chasing New Jersey’ in WWOR Editorial

By Merrill Knox 

WWOR station manager Dianne Doctor is defending the Fox-owned MyNetworkTV affiliate after two New Jersey politicians have called for the FCC to revoke the station’s license.

Earlier this month, WWOR canceled its nightly newscast and replaced it with “Chasing New Jersey,” a freewheeling 30-minute show focused on politics and state issues in New Jersey. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), as well as the Bergen Record,  have called for the station’s FCC license to be revoked.

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“You’d think these politicians and the editorial writers of the Record would encourage the development of innovative newsgathering, especially during a financial crisis,” Doctor said in a recent on-air editorial (video above). “Maybe I missed it, but despite these huge newspaper cutbacks [in New Jersey], not one member of the state’s Congressional delegation expressed any concern. Maybe they should take a page from the students and faculty at Montclair State, who have created a facility to rescue journalism and pave a real path for the future. Maybe after watching ‘Chasing New Jersey,’ you’ll see a little glimpse of that future, and wonder why anyone would criticize us for trying something new.”

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