WOOD in Grand Rapids, Mich., is apologizing after it became the story over reports about a leaked memo surfaced telling reporters to cover fewer Pride events because it was upsetting the local conservative viewers.
The memo, sent by assistant news director Amy Fox, also said that even though the newsroom may not agree “with a certain position, people are entitled to their opinions and they are our viewers.”
Thedesk.net reported that news director Stanton Tang admitted during a staff meeting that he ordered Fox to write and distribute the memo.
“We know that West Michigan is a conservative area in many ways,” the memo said, according to thedesk.net. “We need to recognize that some stories related to LGBTQ issues are going to be controversial and polarizing in our community.”
The memo also said the station needs to “do some work to discern the newsworthy-ness of the event. If we are covering Pride events, we need to consider how to make the story balanced and get both sides of the issue.”
According to social media, the staff was not having it. Anchor Michele DeSelms wrote on social media, “Our newsroom immediately stood up to the two managers who wrote a memo mandating that we cover ‘the other side’ of Pride events — essentially requiring us to give equal time to hate and discrimination.”
In response, the station told TVSpy, “WOOD-TV is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to covering and reporting the news of the day in an expansive and inclusive fashion, consistent with these values. The communication regarding WOOD-TV’s coverage of PRIDE month activities in the area is not consistent with our values, the way we cover the news, or the respect we have for our viewers. We will take appropriate action as necessary to address this situation, and we apologize for offending members of the LGBTQ community and WOOD-TV’s viewers.”
This story was first reported by FTVLive.